IMAGE  r-VALUATrON 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


V 


// 


/ 


f/. 


1.0    !frtt  IIIIIM 


1= 

11.25 


u    ^ 


2.0 


1.8 


JA  mil  1.6 


% 


<^ 


/# 


%. 

>^/ 


^^ 


y 


Photographic 

Sciences 
Corporation 


23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 
WEBSTER,  NY.  14580 

(716)  87;i-t5(?.j' 


'^ 


^v 


iV 


:\ 


\ 


4f 


9> 


S 


%' 


^ 


-^ 


CIHM/ICMH 

Microfiche 

Series. 


CIHM/iCMH 
Collection  de 
microfiches. 


Canadian  Institute  for  Historical  Microreproductions  /  Institut  canadien  de  midroreproductions  historiques 


Technical  and  Bibliographic  Notes/Notes  techniques  et  bibliographiques 


The  Institute  has  attempted  to  obtain  the  best 
original  copy  available  for  filming.  Features  of  this 
copy  which  may  be  bibliographically  unique, 
which  may  alter  any  of  the  images  in  the 
reproduction,  or  which  may  significantly  change 
the  usual  method  of  filming,  are  checked  below. 


L'Institut  a  microfilm^  le  meilleur  exemplaire 
qu'il  lui  a  6t6  possible  de  se  procurer.  Les  details 
de  cet  exemplaire  qui  sont  peut-dtre  uniques  du 
point  de  vue  bibliographique,  qui  peuvent  modifier 
une  image  reproduite,  ou  qui  peuvent  exiger  una 
modification  dans  la  m^thode  normale  oe  filmage 
sont  indiqu6s  ci-dessous. 


D 


Coloured  covers/ 
Couverture  de  couleur 


□    Covers  damaged/ 
Couverture  endommagee 

□    Covers  restored  and/or  laminated/ 
Couverture  restaur^e  et/ou  pellicul^e 


D 
D 
□ 


D 


n 


Cover  title  missing/ 

Le  titre  de  couverture  manque 


Coloured  maps/ 

Cartes  g^ographiques  en  couleur 

Coloured  ink  (i.e.  other  than  blue  or  black)/ 
Encre  de  couleur  (i.e.  autre  que  bleue  ou  noire) 

Coloured  plates  and/or  illustrations/ 
Planches  et/ou  illustrations  en  couleur 

Bound  with  other  material/ 
Relie  avec  d'autres  documents 

Tight  binding  may  cause  shadows  or  distortion 
along  interior  margin/ 

La  reliure  serree  peut  causer  de  I'ombre  ou  de  la 
distortion  le  long  de  la  marge  int^rieure 

Blank  leaves  added  during  restoration  may 
appear  within  the  text.  Whenever  possible,  these 
have  been  omitted  from  filming/ 
II  se  peut  que  certaines  pages  blanches  ajoutdes 
lors  d'une  restauration  apparaissent  dans  le  texte, 
mais,  lorsque  cela  6tait  possible,  ces  pages  n'ont 
pas  6te  film^es. 

Additional  comments:/ 
Coinmentaires  supplementaires; 


n 
n 

n 


Coloured  pages/ 
Pages  de  couleur 

Pages  damaged/ 
Pages  endommagees 

Pages  restored  and/or  laminated/ 
Pages  restaurdes  et/ou  pellicul^es 

Pages  discoloured,  stained  or  foxed/ 
Pages  d^color^es,  tachetdes  ou  piquees 

Pages  detached/ 
Pages  d^tachees 


I     V  Showthrough/ 
LjlI    Transparence 

□    Quality  of  print  varies/ 
Q 


D 
D 


ualit^  inegale  de  I'impression 

Includes  supplementary  material/ 
Comprend  du  materiel  supplementaire 


Only  edition  available/ 
Seule  Edition  disponible 

Pages  wholly  or  partially  obscured  by  errata 
slips,  tissues,  etc.,  have  been  refilmed  to 
ensure  the  best  possible  image/ 
Les  pages  totalement  ou  partiellement 
obscurcies  par  un  feuillet  d'errata,  une  pelure, 
etc.,  ont  6t<b  film^es  d  nouveau  de  facon  ck 
obtenir  la  meilleure  image  possible. 


This  item  is  filmed  at  the  reduction  ratio  checked  below/ 

Ce  document  est  film6  au  taux  de  reduction  indiqud  ci-dessous. 


10X 

14X 

18X 

22X 

26X 

30X 

J 

12X 


16X 


20X 


24X 


28X 


32X 


The  copy  filmed  here  has  been  reproduced  thanks 
to  the  generosity  of: 

Library  of  the  Public 
Archives  of  Canada 


L'exemplaire  film6  fut  reproduit  grSce  d  la 
g6n6rosit6  de: 

La  bibliothdque  des  Archives 
publiques  du  Canada 


The  images  appearing  here  are  the  best  quality 
possible  considering  the  condition  and  legibility 
of  the  original  copy  and  in  keeping  with  the 
filming  contract  specifications. 


Les  images  suivantes  ont  6t6  reproduites  avec  le 
p^us  grand  soin,  compte  tenu  de  la  condition  et 
de  la  nettetd  de  l'exemplaire  filmd,  et  en 
conformity  avec  les  conditions  du  contrat  de 
filmage. 


Original  copies  in  printed  paper  covers  are  filmed 
beginning  with  the  front  cover  and  ending  on 
the  last  page  with  a  printed  or  illustrated  impres- 
sion, or  the  back  cover  when  appropriate.  All 
other  original  copies  are  filmed  beginning  on  the 
first  page  with  a  printed  or  illustrated  impres- 
sion, and  ending  on  the  last  page  with  a  printed 
or  illustrated  impression. 


The  last  recorded  frame  on  each  microfiche 
shall  contain  the  symbol  — ^-  (meaning  "CON- 
TINUED "),  or  the  symbol  V  (meaning  "END"), 
whichever  applies. 


Les  exemplaires  originaux  dont  la  couverture  en 
papier  est  imprimde  sont  film^s  en  commenpant 
par  le  premier  plat  et  en  terminant  soit  par  la 
dernidre  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'illustration,  soit  par  le  second 
plat,  selon  le  cas.  Tous  les  autres  exemplaires 
originau!'  sont  filmds  en  commenpant  par  la 
premidre  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'illustration  et  en  terminant  par 
la  dernidre  page  qui  comporte  une  telle 
empreinte. 

Un  des  symboles  suivants  apparaitra  sur  la 
dernidre  image  de  cheque  microfiche,  selon  le 
cas:  le  symbole  — ^-  signifie  "A  SUIVRE",  le 
symbole  V  signifie  "FIN". 


Maps,  plates,  charts,  etc.,  may  be  filmed  at 
different  reduction  ratios.  Those  too  large  to  be 
entirely  included  in  one  exposure  are  filmed 
beginning  in  the  upper  left  hand  corner,  left  to 
right  and  top  to  bottom,  as  many  frames  as 
required.  The  following  diagrams  illustrate  the 
method: 


Les  cartes,  planches,  tableaux,  etc.,  peuvent  etre 
filmds  i  des  taux  de  reduction  diff^rents. 
Lorsque  le  document  est  trop  grand  pour  dtre 
reproduit  en  un  seul  clich6,  il  est  film6  A  partir 
de  Tangle  sup6rieur  gauche,  de  gauche  d  droite, 
et  de  haut  en  bas,  en  prenant  le  nombre 
d'images  ndcessaire.  Les  diagrammes  suivants 
illustrent  la  mdthode. 


1 

2 

3 

1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

y. 


CURIOSITIES    IN    AMERICAN   HISTORY 


THE 


GREEN  MOUIsTAm  BOYS : 


OR 


Vermont  and  the  New  York  Land  Jobbers 


BY 


PHILIP   H.    SMITH, 


author  op 


"  ACADIA:    A   LOST    CHAPTER   IN   AMERICAN   HISTORY}" 
''HISTORY   OF    DUCHESS    COUNTY}"    ETC. 


PAWLING,  N    Y.: 
•  r"  Philip  H.  JSmith,  Publisher 

1885 


Entered  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1885,  by 

Philip  H.  Smith, 
In  the  Office  of  the  Librarian  of  Congress,  at  Washington. 


n 


.5^ 


PREFACE. 


.— -o- 


^1 


In  the  history  of  a  country  whose  growth  has 
been  under  circumstances  like  our  own,  every  lo- 
caUty  abounds  in  unrecorded  deeds  of  moral  hero- 
ism as  worthy  of  notice  as  are  many  facts   and 
events  which   have  become  fixed  in  the  historic 
literature  current  among  the  masses.     Even  were 
such  deeds  to  find  a  place  in  local  history,  they 
will  necessarily  be  circumscribed  in  their   influ- 
ence, and  at  best  be  so  hidden  among  common- 
place matter  as  almost  to  escape  notice ;  while  to 
attempt  giving  them  the  attention  they  deserve 
in  a  general  history  would  be  futile. 

In  the  present  attempt  to  render  a  compara- 
tively unknown  episode  of  our  country's  history 
the  theme  of  a   small   volume,   both   these   diffi- 


4 


THE   GREEN    MOUNTAIN    BOYS 


culties  will  be  avoided ;  and  by  so  giving  it  the 
prominence  it  deserves,  thereby  afford  a  better 
understanding  of  the  inner  workings  of  the  stu- 
pendous machinery  of  our  system  of  government. 
The  by-ways  of  our  country's  annals  are  fruitful 
in  just  such  mteresting  and  instructive  themes. 

One  of  the  lessons  herein  taught  ia  that  posi- 
tions of  honor  and  trust  are  not  always  proof 
agamst  cupidity  and  corruption  ;- or,  to  speak 
more  plainly,  under  color  of  law  men  have  been 
known  to  perform  the  most  lawless  acts.  The 
story  of  ihe  Vermont  troubles  has  one  rare  qual- 
ity— the  poor  hard-working  tettlers  were  ulti- 
mately successful ;  and  for  once  the  cause  of  the 
humble  cottager  prevailed  against  the  machina- 
tions of  the  favorites  of  royalty. 


CONTENTS. 


—    Introduction -      -      7-10 

I.  Geographical  Outline  and  Settlement  11-14 

II.  Origin  of  the  Land  Troubles. ......  15-23 

III.  Resisting  New  York  Claimants 24  44 

IV.  Mandatory  Laws  of  New  York 45-48 

V.     Affair  at  Westminster 49-52 

VI.     Attitude  of  Congress 53-56 

VII.     Fall  of  Ticonderoga , 57-69 

VIII.     Expedition  into  Canada 70-90 

IX.  Establishm't  of  a  Civil  Government.  91-97 

X.     Battle  of  Bennington 98  109 

XI.  PrivateNegotiat'ns  with  the  British.  110-127 

XII.     Conclusion 128-130 


n 


\\  ' '  -i 


'  .J 


*m 


INTRODUCTION, 


i: 


IT 


Mm*' 


Some  one  has  truthfully  remarked  that  the 
charactei'  of  a  people  is  largely  determined  by 
the  natural  features  of  the  country  they  inhabit. 
The  peasantry  of  mountainous  Switzerland  are 
proverbial  for  their  bravery  and  hardihood,  their 
strong  and  innate  love  of  liberty,  and  their  pure 
and  exalted  patriotism.  Accustomed  from  infan- 
cy to  danger,  dependent  upon  their  own  resourc- 
es, mingling  day  by  day  among  the  sublimest 
works  of  Creation,  their  aspirations  acquire  a 
buoyancy,  and  their  spiiits  an  independence,  that 
leaves  an  impress  on  their  lives  amounting  to  a 
national  characteristic. 

Thus  the  biave  pioneer,  innured  to  hardship, 
and  depending  on  his  ax  for  shelter,  and  on  his 


i 


8 


THE  GREEN  MOUNTAIN  BOYS 


1  iiJ«!  lor  food  and  piotection  from  wild  beast  and 
lurking  Indian,  will  acquire  a  fertility  of  re- 
source and  vigor  of  limb,  as  in  a  measure  to  re- 
mujieiute  hiui  for  the  privaiioiis  he  endures. 

The  original  settlers  of  the  New  Hampshire 
Grants, — that  territory  now  known  as  the  State 
of  Vermont, — were  of  tins  sturdy,  fearless,  and 
indejjendent  sort.  It  seemed  as  though  they  had 
drawn  inspiration  from  the  snow-ciad,  storm-riven 
mountains,  at  whose  base  their  lowly  thatched 
cabins  were  nestled.  The  long  and  hard  winters 
taxed  the  energies  of  the  new  settlers  for  the 
necessaries  of  life,  and  precluded  the  introduc- 
tion of  luxuries  that  only  degenerate.  The  stub- 
born Wilderness  was  to  be  felled ;  the  latent  pro- 
ductiveness of  the  soil  developed ;  hand  to  hand 
encounters  with  wild  beasts  were  not  infrequent; 
common  safety  demanded  a  unity  of  strength 
against  the  crafty  foe,  and  necessily  begat  friends 
at  the  same  time  it  rendered  friendship  a  mutual 
saleguard ;  and  this  unity  of  purpose,  thus  nur- 
tured and  sustained,  afterward  displayed  itself  in 


THK  OREEN  MOUNT  MN  BOYS 


one  of  the  most  unique  chapters  in  the  umial-  of 
American  history. 

The  people  of  these  Grants,  known  to  Ihe 
world  as  the  Green  Mountain  Boys,  were  worthy 
the  wild  and  romantic  country  in  whirh  they 
lived,  and  the  stirring  times  in  which  they  acted. 
Vermont  was  never  oi'ganized  as  a  separate  cr»lo- 
ny  under  En;;^hind,  and  from  t^3  first  tbfii  plucky 
little  oinmunitv  refused  to  suhmi'  to  the  domi- 
nation  of  the  older  colonies  on  her  bord^)rs.  Her 
people  seemed  to  imbibe  a  spirit  of  indeprndence 
from  the  fiee  air  and  the  everlastinj^^  mountains. 

New  York  claimed  a  jurisdiction  over  her  soil, 
and  a  like  demand  was  put  forward  by  New 
Hampshire  and  Massachusetts.  But  the  brave 
Green  Mountain  Boys,  under  the  guidance  of 
Buch  natural  leaders  as  the  Aliens,  Baker,  Warner, 
and  (Others  of  like  invincible  spirit,  kept  the  pfreedy 
land-grabbers  at  bay.  In  short,  Vei*mont  never 
had  a  government  other  than  the  supreme  will  of 
her  own  people,  nor  acknowledged  the  authority 
of  any  earthly  potentate,  until  she  was  admitted 


10 


THE   GREEN   MOUNT  \  IN  BOYS 


on  an  equal  footing  into  the  Union  of  States,  as 
the  ronrteenth  luminary  in  the  blue  field  of  the 
nation's  rmblem. 

Yet  had  this  people  no  inconsiderable  share 
in  the  work  of  achieving  that  independence  which 
made  the  present  of  our  country  a  glorious  possi- 
bility. They  secured  what  they  believed  to  be 
thHrown  rights,  at  the  same  time  they  contrib- 
uted to  the  adjustment  of  the  claims  of  her  sis- 
ter communities. 

There  is  no  pretension,  in  the  present  pages, 
to  giving  what  will  be  new  to  specialists  in  Ver- 
mont  history.  But  to  the  general  reader,  and  to 
the  student  of  the  philosophy  of  human  events, 
there  if  much,  we  hope,  both  new  and  instructive. 
The  firm  bearing  of  the  brave  and  hardy  settlers 
of  the  Hampshire  Grants,  and  the  important  part 
they  played  in  the  War  of  the  Revolution,  give 
to  the  material  of  this  little  book  somewhat  of  a 
national  interest.  Indeed,  but  for  timely  services 
of  the  Green  Mountain  Boys,  it  is  more  than  pos- 
sible the  cause  of  America  might  have  been  lost. 


CHAPTER  I. 


GEOGRAPHICAL  OUTLINE  AND  SETTLEMENT. 

StpphpD  A.  Douglas  has  been  credited  witb  the 
remark  that  Vermont  is  an  excellent  place  to  emi- 
grate from.  Though  small  in  area,  with  a  surface 
Bingiilarly  broken  by  mountain  ranges,  wracked 
by  frosts  and  covered  with  snows  five  months  of 
the  year,  yet  her  internal  economy  has  proved  fa- 
vorable to  the  growth  of  both  brain  and  brawn : 
in  the  halls  of  Congress,  as  w(5ll  as  in  the  pur- 
suits of  sdence  and  literature,  she  maintains  her 
place  right  gallantly. 

That  long  and  irregular  lake  on  the  north- 
west boundary  bears  the  name  of  the  great  Eu- 
ropean discoverer  and  explorer,  Champlain,  who 
here  sought,  and  vainly,  for  a  northwest  passage 
to  Cathay.     The  loveliness  of  its  shores,  and  the 


12 


THE   GKEEN   MOUNTAIN   BOYS 


unsnrpassecl  pictnresqiieness  of  its  islands,  endear 
it  to  the  tourist.  Twice  it  has  been  the  scene  of 
a  naval  comhat. 

The  Green  Mountains,*  from  which  the  state 
takes  its  name,  run  lengthwise  throup-h  the  cen- 
tral portion,  about  midway  between  the  Connec- 
ticut River  on  the  east  and  Lnke  (^hamplain  on 
the  west.  The  sides  of  these  mountains  are  clad 
with  the  perpetual  verdure  of  their  hardy  ever- 
greens,  the   verdant  mosses  and  winter  grasses 


*Tn  17fi3.  Rev.  Snmnel  Pe^^frs.  the  first  clfrsrymftn  who 
pnid  a  visit  to  the  tliirtv  thoiisarri  settlors  in  that  country,  in 
the  presence  of  n  nnmber  of  lanrlerl  proprietors,  performed 
the  ceremony  of  crivin^  a  new  name  to  the  province,  **on  the 
top  of  a  rock  standincr  on  a  hif]:h  monntain.  then  named  Pis- 
pnh,  because  it  provirled  the  company  n  clear  siorht  of  Imke 
Champlnin  to  the  west,  nnd  of  the  Oonnecticnt  River  to  the 
east,  nnd  which  overlnokerl  all  th<^  trees  and  liills  in  the  vast 
wilderness  nt  the  north  and  sonth,"  .  .  which  new  name 
is  " Verd  Mont."  in  token  that  her  monntains  and  hills  shoU 
ever  he  cn'fcn  nnd  never  die.  He  then  ponred  the  spirits 
ahont  him  and  cast  the  bottle  at  the  rock.  The  ceremony  be- 
mrf  over,  the  compony  descended  Monnt  Pisc'nh.  and  took 
refreshments  in  a  locr  honse,  kept  by  Captain  Otley,  where 
they  spent  the  night  with  great  pleasure. — Hist.  Mag. 


THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    BOYS 


13 


clinging  to  their  towering  summits.  The  princi- 
pal streams,  rising  among  these  mountains  and 
following  the  natural  declivities,  lind  their  way  in- 
to this  river  and  lake,  except  those  flowing  nor- 
therly into  Lake  Memphremagog. 

It  was  not  until  after  the  conquest  of  Canada 
that  any  considerable  settlements  were  effected  in 
the  territory  now  known  as  Vermont.  Situate 
about  midway  between  the  French  districts  on 
the  Hiver  St.  Lawrence  and  the  New  England  set- 
tlements along  the  Atlantic  coast,  it  had  very  nat- 
urally become  the  battle-ground  of  the  contend- 
ing powers,  and  a  lurking-place  of  their  respective 
Indian  allies.  The  early  colonists  of  Massachu- 
setts and  Connecticut,  in  their  frequent  expedi- 
tions against  the  French  in  Canada,  and  while 
traversing  these  woods  as  hunters  and  scouting 
parties,  had  become  familiar  with  the  fertility  of 
the  lands  between  the  Connecticut  Eiver  and  Lake 
Champlain.  As  soon  as  the  danger  attending 
their  settlement  was  in  a  measure  removed,  by 
reason  of  Canada  and  New  England  coming  un- 


vr 


14 


THE   GREEN   MOUNTAIN   BOYS 


der  the  same  King,  swarms  of  emigrants  from  the 
adjacent  colonies  poured  into  the  country,  and  the 
most  available  and  valuable  portions  were  imme- 
diately taken  up ;  and,  as  though  by  magic,  the 
wilderness  developed  into  fruitful  fields,  and  gar- 
dens flourished  where  the  wild  rabbit  had  made 
its  home.  At  the  beginning  of  the  Revolution 
the  population  was  estimated  at  from  twenty  to 
thirty  thousand. 

If  not  to  be  governed  at  all  is  to  be  governed 
well, — and  so  it  would  seem  to  be  in  this  in- 
stance,— the  remarkable  exemption  of  the  State 
of  Vermont  from  taxation  at  the  close  of  the  Rev- 
olution, as  compared  with  other  States,  added  to 
the  fertility  and  cheapness  of  the  land,  attracted 
settlers  from  many  of  the  older  communities,  re- 
sulting in  large  additions  to  population  and  re- 
sources. 


t.  .'' 


CHAPTEK  IT. 


ORIGIN  OF  THE  LAND  TROUBLES. 

Vermont,  as  has  been  well  said,  was  born  in 
the  midst  of  tumult  and  the  clash  of  arms.  No 
other  State,  we  can  safely  affirm,  came  up  out  of 
such  tribulation.  Her  experience  is  that  of  a 
people  exposed  to  the  avarice  and  gi-eed  of  offi- 
cials who  scruple  not  to  use  the  necessities  of 
their  helpless  subjects  as  a  means  of  securing 
their  own  selfish  ends. 

It  was  in  pursuance  to  instructions  from  his 
Britannic  Majesty  that  Benning  Wentworth,  Gov- 
ernor of  New  Hampshire,  proceeded,  in  1749,  to 
grant  lands  on  the  west  side  of  the  Connecticut 
Kiver,  in  the  present  State  of  Vermont,  to  such 
persons  as  would  settle  and  cultivate  the  same. 
After  the  declaiation  of  peace  between  France 


I 


16 


THE  GRHIEN  MOUNTAIN  BOYS 


aij(l  Eiigiaijcl,  VVeiitworth  ordered  that  a  survey 
bt  made  of  the  river  for  sixty  miles,  aud  that 
three  tiers  of  townships  be  laid  out  on  either 
bide.  In  1764  about  one  hundred  and  forty 
townships  had  been  granted  to  New  England 
settlers. 

The  lands  went  under  the  title  of  the  "New 
Hampshire  Giants,"  numbering  sixty-eight  pro- 
prietors, each  grant  being  six  miles  square,  the 
Governor  reserving  to  himself  five  hundred  acres 
at  the  corner  of  each  township.  There  were  also 
reserved  four  public  rights,  viz.:  one  to  the  soci- 
ety fur  the  propagation  of  the  Gospel  in  foreign 
parts ;  one  for  a  perpetual  glebe  to  the  estab- 
lished Church  of  England  ;  one  for  the  first  set- 
tled minister  of  the  Gospel  in  town  ;  and  one  for 
the  support  of  a  school.  The  patentees,  that  is 
to  say,  the  possessois,  were  after  ten  years  to  pay 
liinepence  sterling  per  annum  on  each  hundred 
acies  as  quit-rent  to  his  Majesty. 

In  addition  to  the  five  hundred  acres  at  the 
corner   of  each  *  .wnship,  Governor  Wentworth 


THE  GREEN  MOUNT  MN  BOYS 


17 


jrecdved  fees  and  other  emoluments  in  his  official 
capacity  in  making  these  grants.  But  he  was 
not  always  to  pursue  this  career  of  pecuniary 
prosperity*  Other  scheming  brains,  jealous  of 
his  rapidly  accumulating  fortune,  sought  to  de- 
prive him  of  his  monopoly  of  land  giving.  This 
menace  lay  in  the  persons  of  Cadwallader  Golden, 
Lieut.-Gov.  of  New  York,  and  some  associates 
composed  of  lawyers  and  land  speculators  of  New 
York  city. 

As  an  initiative,  Lieut.-Gov.  Golden  issued  a 
proclamation  to  the  settlers  on  the  west  bank  of 
the  Gonnecticut,  Dec.  28,  1763,  arrogating  to  the 
government  of  New  York  sole  juiisdiction  over 
the  territory,  founding  the  claim  on  the  grant 
made  by  Gharles  II  to  the  Duke  of  York  in  1664 
and  1674,  embracing  among  other  parts  "  all  the 
lands  from  the  west  side  of  the  Gonnecticut  Riv- 
er to  the  east  side  of  the  Delaware  Bay."  Golden 
at  once  commenced  making  grants  of  land  in  his 
newly  acquired  territory,  and  by  the  first  of  No- 
vember following,   his   patents  covered   a  large 


> 


18 


THE  GREEN   MOUNTAIN  BOYS 


i.  .'. 


portion  of  the  lands  occupied  by  the  settlers  who 
had  jnst  paid  for  their  titles  to  the  Governor  of 
New  Hampshire. 

Gov.  Wentworth  now  issued  a  counter  procla- 
mation intended  to  inspire  confidence  in  the  grants 
from  New  Hampshire,  and  exhorting  the  people  to 
be  diligent  in  clearing  up  their  lands,  and  not  be 
intimidated  by  the  threats  of  New  York.  The 
latter  province  thereupon  made  application  to  the 
Crown  for  a  confirmation  of  its  claims,  falsely  and 
fraudulently  averring  that  such  an  arrangement 
would  meet  the  wishes  of  the  people  of  the  terri- 
tory in  dispute.  These  claims  were  confirmed  by 
Great  Britain  in  July,  1764. 

Wentworth  complained  of  this  loss  of  territo- 
ry, and  represented  it  to  be  injurious  to  the  peace 
and  prosperity  of  the  country ;  but  he  was  con- 
strained, by  advice  of  counsel,  to  recommend  to 
the  settlers  due  obedience  to  the  authority  and 
laws  of  New  York. 

Had  this  royal  decree  been  interpreted  by  the 
Yorkers  as  simply  effecting  a  change  of  jurisdio- 


THE  GREEN  MOUNTAIN   BOYS 


19 


tion,  the  inhabitants  would  have  quietly  submit- 
ted, as  it  was  immaterial  to  them,  other  things 
being  equal,  whether  they  lived  in  New  York  or 
New  Hampshiie.  Unfortunately,  the  private  in- 
terests of  Golden  and  the  land  speculators  induced 
another  interpretation.  They  maintained  that 
the  decision  had  a  retroBpective  application;  that 
the  Connecticut  River  had  always  been  the  east- 
ern boundary  of  New  York,  and  hence  the  grants 
made  by  New  Hampshire  were  null  and  void. 

The  people  of  the  Grants  were  now  apprised 
of  the  true  nature  of  the  diplomatic  game  that 
was  being  played,  in  which  they  were  the  parties 
likely  to  be  the  most  affected.  They  now  re- 
alized that  the  lauds  they  had  duly  bought  and 
paid  for,  and  for  which  they  held  deeds  under  the 
authoi  ity  of  the  Crown,  were  coveted  by  the  land 
speculators,  and,  under  color  of  law,  the  latter 
purposed  to  wrest  them  from  their  hands. 

In  1765,  a  committee  from  the  Grants  waited 
upon  the  newly-appointed  Governor  of  New  York, 
Sir  Henry  Moore,  to  solicit  his  protection  against 


20 


THE   GREEN   MOUNTAIN   BOYS 


''   ':^fe£ 

,3 

■        1 

J 

I'M    1; 

the  New  Yoik  patents  ;  but  this  measure  failed  of 
its  purpose.  The  following  year  an  agent  was 
sent  to  the  Court  of  Great  Britain  to  recount  the 
unjust  proceedings  against  them  ;  and  the  King 
in  Council,  in  response  thereto,  issued  an  order 
bearing  date  of  July  24,  1767,  requiring  of  the 
Governor  of  New  York  that  he  should  not,  "  up- 
on pain  of  his  Majesty's  highest  displeasure,  pre- 
sume to  make  any  grant  whatsoever  of  any  part 
of  the  lands  in  question,  until  his  Majesty's  fur- 
ther pleasure  should  be  known  concerning  the 
same."  This  order  was  obeyed  during  the  ad- 
ministration of  Governor  Moore;  but  after  his 
death,  which  occurred  in  the  fall  of  1769,  it  was 
wholly  disregarded,  and  grants  were  made  by 
successive  governors  up  to  the  Revolutionary  pe- 
riod. 

After  the  death  of  Moore,  New  York  proceed- 
ed to  carry  out  its  plan  by  attempting  to  compel 
the  Vermontese  to  repurchase  their  lands,  or  to 
abandon  them.  Many  of  the  settlers  did  not 
have  the  ready  funds  with  which  to  repurchase 


TH£   GREEN    MOUNTAIN   BOYS 


21 


their  homes,  had  they  been  so  minded ;  while  the 
great  majority  peremptorily  refused  to  submit- 
This  bold  opposition  was  followed  by  actions  of 
ejectment  at  Albany,  and  judgments  against  the 
protesting  settlers,  the  oiiginal  proprietors. 

The  Governor  of  New  York  exercised  a  little 
judicious  diplomacy  by  making  a  partial  distinc- 
tion between  the  settlers  on  the  east  and  west 
sides  of  the  Green  Mountains,  and,  by  winning 
some  of  the  leading  characters  over  to  his  inter- 
est, by  that  means  divided  the  people.  Some  set- 
tlers on  the  east  side,  by  yielding  up  their  New 
Hampshire  titles,  had  new  or  confirmation  grants 
from  New  York  on  paj  ment  of  half  fees.  The 
usual  fee  of  the  former  colony  for  granting  a 
township  was  about  three  hundred  dollars;  but 
under  the  latter  it  generally  exceeded  two  thou- 
sand dollars. 

To  promote  a  further  division  between  the 
two  sections,  New  York  gave  civil  and  military 
commissions  to  settlers  on  the  east  side.  A  new 
county  was  erected  there,  and  a  log  court  house 


m 


22 


THE   GREEN   MOUNTAIN    BOYS 


I  Na 


and  jail  was  built  in  the  wilderness,  eight  miles 
distant  from  any  settlpment.     The  Governor,  by 
this     stratagrm,    partially   brought   the   eastern 
counties  to  coincide  with  New  York,  thus  placing 
the  western  district  in  the  interior  of  the  govern- 
ment.    He   hoped   in   that   way  to  compel  their 
submission  ;  forgetting  that  men,  who  had  braved 
every  danger  and  hardship  attending  the  settle- 
ment of  a  wild  country,  would  not  tamely  submit 
to  be  dispossessed.     The  contest  now  grew  warm 
and  seiious.     Writs  of  ejectment  were  issued  and 
served;  some  officers    were   prevented    by   force 
from  servi  ng  their    writs ;  the   papers   were   re- 
turned to  the  Supreme  Court  at  Albany. 

Ethan  Allen,  a  proprietor  under  the  Hamp- 
shire Grants,  acconipanied  by  an  eminent  barris- 
ter of  Connecticut  named  Ingersoll,  repaired  to 
Albany  to  answer  in  behalf  of  the  Grants.  When 
the  first  case  was  brought,  Ingersoll  answered  for 
the  defendant,  supporting  his  plea  by  the  royal 
orders  and  instructions  to  Governor  Wentworth 
to  make  grants  of  laud  in  the  province   of  New 


THE  GREEN  MOUNTAIN  BOYS 


23 


Hampshire,  aud  also  produced  the  grant  and 
charter  to  the  settlers.  The  judge  would  liofc 
admit  them  to  be  taken  as  evidence,  on  which  In- 
gerso)]  perceived  the  cause  was  already  piejudged, 
and  withdrew  from  the  defense. 


it , 


ii 


1 


T^ 


I 


CHAPTER  III. 


RESISTING  THE   NEW  YORK  CLAIMANTS. 


I 


* 


P 


HI 


On  the  return  of  Mr.  Allen  to  Bennington,  the 
people  met  iu  convention,  and  passed  a  resolution 
to  support  their  rights  and  property  by  force,  in- 
asmuch as  justice  was  denied  them  by  the  in- 
triguing land-jobbers  controlling  the  civil  power 
of  New  York.  This  was  a  bold  stroke  of  one  hun- 
dred men  thus  to  oppose  the  most  favored  and  in- 
fluential colony  under  the  Crown  ;  but  the  Ver- 
monters  rightly  conjectured  their  quarrel  was  with 
the  governor  of  New  York  and  a  few  land  specula- 
tors only,  and  not  with  the  body  of  its  inhabitants. 

Matters  were  daily  becoming  more  serious. 
Civil  officers  were  opposed  by  the  people  of  the 
Giants  ;  the  latter  were  in  turn  indicted  for  riot, 
and  sheiiffs  were  sent  to  apprehend  the    delin- 


*'' 


M    1(1 


im 


'.'I- 1 


THE  GREEN  MOUNT  MN  BOYS 


25 


quents.  These  officers  were  seized  and  severely 
chastised  with  twigs  of  the  wilderness  ;  that  is  to 
say,  they  were  bound  to  trees  and  treated  to  an 
application  of  beech  rods  on  then*  bare  backs,  well 
laid  on.  Every  day  produced  new  events :  the 
settlers  resolved  to  form  themselves  into  a  military 
association  for  mutual  protection. 

Before  the  close  of  the  year  1770,  committees 
of  safety  had  been  organized  for  purposes  of  de- 
fense against  the  New  York  claimants.  These 
committees  afterwards  met  in  general  convention, 
when  important  issues  were  to  be  determined. 
Ethan  Allen  was  commissioned  Colonel  Com- 
mandant, and  Seth  Warner,  Remember  Baker, 
Robert  Cockian,  Gideon  Warren  and  others, 
were  appointed  captains. 

The  Governor  of  New  York  had  threatened  to 
drive  the  Vermonters  into  the  Green  Mountains, 
which  occasioned  their  taking  the  name  of  "Green 
Mountain  Boys."  The  committees  of  safety  passed 
a  resolution  in  general  council,  in  1771,  that  no 
officer  from  New  York  be  allowed  to  carry  out  of 


aw'* 


2G 


THE   GREEN   MOUNTAIN  BOYS 


iii' 


the  Hampshire  Grants  any  person,  without  per- 
mission given  by  the  committees,  or  the  military 
commanders.  Surveyors  of  land  under  New  York 
Were  forbidden  to  run  any  lines  within  the  Grants; 
and  transgressors  in  this  particular  were  to  be 
punished  according  to  the  judgment  of  a  court 
formed  among  the  military  officers  or  elders  of 
the  people. 

"  Hugh  Monroe,  an  old  offender,  was  taken, 
tried,  and  ordered  to  be  whipped  on  his  naked  back. 
He  was  tied  to  a  tree,  and  flogged  till  he  fainted ; 
on  recovering  he  was  whipped  again  till  he  fainted  ; 
be  revived  and  underwent  a  third  lashing  till  he 
fainted;  his  wounds  were  then  dressed,  and  he 
Was  banished  the  district  of  the  New  Hampshire 
Grants."  These  severities  proved  a  salutary  les- 
son, and  the  Green  Mountain  Boys  became  a  ter- 
ror to  their  adversaries. 

The  convention  next  issued  a  decree  forbidding 
all  persons  taldng  out  grants,  or  confirmations  of 
grants.  Under  New  York.  This  had  the  effect  of 
uniting  the  settlers    very    much  in  the  common 


THE  GREEK  MOUNTAIN   EOYS 


27 


cause.  About  the  same  time  the  Colonial  Assem- 
bly of  New  York  authorized  the  sheriffs  to  call  out 
B.  posse  comitattts  in  case  of  opposition  to  the  ex- 
ecution of  their  office ;  and  the  Governor  offered  a 
reward  of  £150  for  Colonel  Ethan  Allen,  and  £50 
each  for  Warner  and  five  others  therein  named, 
to  any  person  that  should  take  and  confine  them 
in  any  jail  in  New  York.  As  a  measure  of  retali- 
ation, Allen  and  the  other  proscribed  persons  of- 
fered a  reward  of  £5  for  the  taking  of  John  Ta- 
ber  Kemp,  Attorney  General  of  New  York,  and 
published  the  same  in  the  newspapers  of  the  day. 
The  Supreme  Court  at  Albany,  having  awarded 
a  judgment  on  a  writ  of  ejectment  against  James 
Breckenridge,  of  Bennington,  the  sheriff  of  Al- 
bany County  summoned  p  posse  to  the  number 
of  seven  hundred  and  fifty  men  to  go  and  assist 
in  serving  the  same.  The  officers  collected  about 
three  hundred,  and  reaching  Brcckenridge's  house 
some  hours  in  advance  of  the  sheriff's  party,  sta- 
tioned their  men  in  ambuscade  in  readiness  to  re- 
ceive them 


28 


THE   GREEN   MOUNTAIN    BOYS 


An  officer  and  eighteen  men  were  placed  inside 
the  house.  One  hundred  and  fifty  were  secreted 
behind  trees,  in  a  wood,  near  the  road  by  which 
the  sheriff  must  pass,  and  where  he  would  nat- 
urally halt  his  men  while  he  went  to  demand  pos- 
session of  the  premises.  The  other  division  was 
stationed  behind  a  ridge  of  land,  in  a  meadow, 
within  gun-shot  of  the  house,  but  out  of  sight  of 
the  sheriff's  men.  This  arrangement  of  the  am- 
buscade enabled  the  Green  Mountain  Boys  to 
have  a  cross-fire  on  the  Yorkers  without  endanger- 
ing themselves ;  and  they  were  instructed  to  hold 
themselves  in  readiness  to  commence  the  attack 
in  case  the  sheriff  forced  the  door,  the  signal  to 
be  a  red  flag  hoisted  above  the  chimney  top. 

When  the  sheriff  and  his  party  approached,  all 
was  silent;  and  exultingly  they  marched  directly 
into  the  trap  without  being  aware  of  their  critic- 
al situation.  Mr.  Ten  Eyck,  the  sheriff,  went  to 
the  house  and  demanded  entrance  as  Sheriff  of 
the  County  of  Albany ;  and  threatened  in  case  of 
refusal,    to    force  the  door.     The  answer  was, 


■:i  il 


THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    BOYS 


29 


"Attempt  it,  and  you  are  a  dead  man."  He  re- 
peated his  demand ;  and  was  answered  by  **  hid- 
eous groans  from  within." 

At  this  juncture,  the  two  divisions  exhibited 
their  hats  on  the  points  of  their  guns,  which  made 
tL  M  appear  more  numerous  than  they  really  were. 
The  sheriff  and  his  men,  realizing  the  danger  of 
their  situation,  "  and  not  being  interested  in  the 
dispute,"  beat  a  hasty  retreat,  without  a  gun  be- 
ing fired  on  either  side.  This  affair  served  not 
only  to  cement  the  union  of  the  people,  but  also 
to  cause  a  higher  estimate  to  be  placed  on  them 
by  the  neighboring  colonies. 

On  another  occasion,  an  armed  party  of  fifty 
men  proceeded  to  Arlington,  where  they  took 
prisoner  Captain  Remember  Baker,  one  of  the 
seven  proscribed  persons,  severely  wounding  both 
him  and  his  wife.  Baker  was  put  into  a  sleigh, 
and  the  party  set  out  with  all  speed  for  Albany. 
An  express  was  dispatched  to  Bennington  with 
tidings  of  the  occurrence.  Ten  men  promptly 
mounted  fleet  horses,  and  after  a  ride  of  thirty 


;!'  I  : 


r. 

if 


I: 


30 


THE   OREEN    MOUNTAIN    BOYS 


1 


'3H'! 


miles,  intercepted  the  kiduappiiig  party  at  a  cross- 
road. The  ten  horsemen  impetuously  charged 
upon  the  hfty  Yorkeis;  and  the  latter,  supposing 
them  to  be  the  advance  guard  of  a  larger  t'oice, 
left  their  prisoner  and  fled.  Captain  Baker  was 
nearly  exhausted  with  loss  of  blood ;  but  he  was 
kindly  cared  for,  his  wounds  dressed,  and  he  was 
restored  to  his  wife  and  children,  to  their  no 
small  joy,  and  that  of  his  friends. 

A  report  reached  Bennington  that  Governor 
Try  on  was  on  his  way  by  water  to  Albany,  with 
British  Troops,  with  a  purpose  to  subdue  or  de- 
stroy the  Green  Mountain  Boys.  This  was  the 
more  readily  credited,  as  the  royal  troops  had  late- 
ly been  used  on  Bateman's  *  Patent,  in  the  colony 
of  New  York,  to  quell  some  disputes  about  the 
titles  or  rents  of  lands ;  and  it  was  known  that 
the  subsequent  grantees  of  the  New  Hampshire 

•Shor^'\  i'ead  ' *  Beekman's "  Patent,  in  Duchess  County, 
prob  .        ii  ,  iie  present  town  of  Pawling. 


THE  GREEN  MOUNTAIN  BOYS 


31 


Grants  hftd  applied  to  the  Governor  of  New  York 
for  a  similar  favor. 

The  committees  of  safety  met  the  military  of- 
ficers to  consult  on  the  measures  proper  to  be 
taken.  They  felt  themselves  at  a  crisis  that  would 
either  compel  them  to  submit,  or  take  the  field 
against  a  royal  Governor  and  British  troops. 
Having  reflected  on  the  justice  of  their  cause,  the 
labor  and  expense  of  building  and  the  cultivating 
of  their  lands,  they  unanimously  resolved  "■  that 
it  was  their  duty  to  oppose  Governor  Tryon  and 
his  troops  to  the  utmost  of  their  power,  and  con- 
vince him  and  his  council  that  they  were  punish- 
able by  the  Green  Mountain  Boys  for  disobeying 
his  majesty's  prohibitory  orders  of  July,  1767." 
The  elders  of  the  people  assured  the  military  of- 
ficers that  they  would  afford  them  all  the  assist- 
ance in  their  power,  and  advised  them  to  concert 

among  themselves  the  plans  of  defense,  and  then 
withdrew. 

A  messenger  was  sent  to  Albany  to  ascertain 
the  fciuth  of  the  report,  and  learn  the  strength  of 


m 

m 

m 


m 


i 


32 


THE    GREEN   MOUNTAIN    BOYS 


tl  t'  eueni}'  and  the  order  of  nmiching.  On  Ins  re- 
tiiin,  tlie  messenger  reported  that  "tbe  British 
ti'oops  v.ere  wind-bound  some  distance  below  Al- 
bany, and  were  destined  to  relieve  the  garrisons 
at  Oswego,  Niagara,  and  Detroit,  and  that  Gover- 
nor Trvon  was  not  with  them."  Of  course  all 
prf  1  aiaticns  for  a  battle  w^eie  suspended. 

The  Governor  and  land  agents  of  New  York 
were  in  due  time  apprised  of  this  "note  of  prep- 
aiation,"  and  wfre  thus  assuied  the  Green  Moun- 
tain Boys  w^ould  fi^,ht  even  the  King's  troops  on 
provocation.  This  affair  served  the  purposes  of 
Veimont  as  well  as  a  bloody  victory  could  have 
done;  and  prompted  the  Convention  to  forbid  "all 
inhabitants  of  the  New  Hampshire  Grants  to  hold 
or  accept  any  c  fjfice  of  honor  or  profit  under  the 
colony  of  New  York,  and  requiring  all  civil  and 
military  cfficeiswhohad  acted  under  New  York 
to  suspend  their  functions  under  penalty  of  being 
viewed.*^'' 


An  expression  signifying  an  application  of  the  beech  rod. 


m 


^m 


M' 


"Viewing  "  a  New  York  sheriff  with  beech  rods. 


TttE  GREEN  MOUNTAIN  B0V9 


m 


The  first  settleis  of  Clarendon  were  adhorc  uta 
of  New  York.  Disturbances  bad  often  sprung- 
up  in  that  place,  and  Mr.  Spencer,  who  had  acted 
fiS  Justice  of  the  Peace  under  New  York,  had  oft- 
en sent  writs  against  the  people.  Colonel  Allen 
and  a  few  hundred  men  set  off  for  Clarendon,  to 
fii^hten  Spencer  o^jt  of  the  country*  Acting  on 
information  received  of  Allen's  intended  visit, 
Bpencc-r  fled  into  the  woods,  and  w^as  not  to  be 
found  when  the  party  reached  the  house. 

After  scouting  the  woods  in  vain,  they  marched 
thiee  miles  and  put  up  for  the  night.  Tovvarda 
daylight,  Allen  and  his  two  men  went  again  to 
Spencer's  house.  Forcing  the  door  with  a  log, 
they  rushed  in  with  their  guns  and  pistols,  crying 
out  for  Spencer  to  appear ;  but  he  had  not  ven- 
tured to  return  home. 

:  "  As  they  rejoined  the  main  force,  a  small  dog 
was  discovered,  which,  unfortunately  for  the  dog, 
bore  the  name  of  Try  on.  This  animal  they  cut 
into  pieces  with  their  swords  for  no  other  cause 
than  that  its  name  was  Tryon ;  they  held  up  the 


iff  it  ■; 


34 


THE   OREEN   MOUNTAIN   BOYS 


t' 


pieces  of  the  dog  on  the  points  of  their  puns  and 
cried  out — " Thus  will  we  do  with  Tiyon  I  "  Spen- 
cer was  so  much  alarmed  at  these  proceedings 
that  he  fled  to  New  York,  and  matters  remained 
quiet  for  a  time. 

In  the  spring  of  1772,  Governor  Tryon,  through 
the  medium  of  a  minister  residing  in  Bennington, 
made  overtures  to  the  people  of  the  Grants  for  a 
pLvjitic'ution.  He  promised  if  they  would  send 
agents  to  negotiate  an  accommodation,  they  would 
be  ifceived  and  piotected,  only  excepting  Ethan 
Allen,  Seth  Warner,  Remember  Baker,  and  Robert 
Cockran. 

This  proposal  being  accepted.  Captain  Stephen 
Fay  and  Dr.  Jonas  Fay  were  sent  to  represent 
Vermont  before  the^  Governor,  to  arrange  for  an 
adjustment  of  claims.  The  most  tiiat  was  effect- 
ed was  a  cessation  of  hostilities  until  bis  Majesty's 
pleasure  could  be  further  known.  During  this 
armistice,  a  surveyor  named  Cockbuin  was  pri- 
vately sent  to  survey  out  and  locate  lands  within 
the  bounds  of  the  New  Hampshire  Grants.    Ira 


THE  QUEEN   MOUNTAIN   BOYS 


ti 


Allen  and  a  number  of  men  went  in  search  of  him. 
They  found  the  offender  at  Bolton,  one  hundred 
and  thirty  miles  through  an  almost  unbroken  wil- 
derness to  the  north  of  Bennington.  They  broke 
his  instruments  and  allowed  him  to  depart,  with 
an  admonition  never  to  be  seen  in  those  parts 
again  under  pain  of  death.  Only  the  partial  arm- 
istice, and  the  efforts  for  a  restoration  of  peace 
then  in  progress,  saved  Mr.  Cockburn  a  severe 
whipping. 

Governor  Try  on  next  essayed  the  plan  of  es- 
tablishing a  colony  of  emigrants  under  the  New 
York  proprietors.  The  settlers  were  to  be 
Scotchmen,  and  the  colony  was  to  be  located  at 
New  Haven  Falls,  Allen  was  duly  apprised  of 
this,  who,  with  a  number  of  trusty  followers,  re- 
paired to  the  place  and  began  the  construction  of 
a  block  fort.  The  Scotch  emigrants  wisely  sent 
some  agents  to  view  the  country  before  coming 
in  with  their  families ;  and  learning  the  nature  of 
the  dispute  as  to  title,  refused  to  have  any  more 
to  do  in  the  matter. 


:i 


.■if 


w^ 


d6 


THE    GREEN   MOUNTAIN   BOYS 


Oj]o  oveuing  \yliiJe  Cclonel  Ethan  Allen  and 
Levi  Roberta  were  at  the  house  of  a  friend  by  the 
name  of  Richardson,  they  were  surprised  by  two 
sergeants  and  ten  soldiers  from  the  gairison  at 
at  Ci  own  Point,  all  of  them  well  armed.  Allen 
and  Roberts  were  well  known  to  the  soldiers,  and 
realizf  d  they  were  caught  in  a  trap,  as,  stimulat- 
ed by  the  reward  on  their  heads,  the  soldiers 
would  be  cejtain  to  take  them  before  the  Now 
York  authorities.  But  even  in  this  dilenima,  Al- 
len's ]^resence  of  mind  did  not  forsake  him.  Both 
he  and  Roberts  had  their  side  arms  about  them, 
and  he  judged  the  soldiers  would  not  immediately 
risk  an  open  encounter.  Calling  for  liquor,  he 
began  to  make  merry  with  the  men ;  and  such 
was  his  address,  and  his  powers  of  conversation, 
that  they  were  actually  forced  to  join  in  the  rev- 
elry. It  was  not  long  before  the  sergeants  were 
disma^'cd  at  beholding  their  men,  one  by  one, 
yielding  to  the  seductive  influence  of  their  po- 
tations. Yet  the  doughty  Colonel  kept  lustily 
calling  for  more    liquor;   and   with   well-feigned 


m 


1  ii ' 


THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    BOYS 


37 


husldness  of  voice,  pressed  all  to  drink,  swearing 
they  would  merit  his  eternal  displeasure  if  they 
i^efused. 

At  length,  after  nearly  all  had  rolled  from 
their  chairs,  stupefied  by  the  quantities  of  liquor 
they  had  swallowed,  Allen  demanded  to  be  shown 
to  bed.  He  was  answered  that  the  sergeants  had 
engaged  the  only  spare  beds  in  the  house.  He 
refused  their  offer  to  give  up  one  of  the  beds  to 
hijuself  and  Eoberts,  with  a  maudlin  remark  that 
two  SLich  jolly  subjects  of  the  King  should  have 
the  best  the  house  afforded,  and  declared  his  in- 
tention to  sleep  in  the  barn. 

Leaving  their  guns  in  the  house  to  disarm 
suspicion,  Allen  and  lioberts  suffered  themselves 
to  be  conducted  to  the  bain  by  the  sergeants, 
where  they  vvt  e  Jjtked  up  for  the  night.  The 
Colonel  wa.s  cippaiently  so  far  over«;ome  with 
liquor  as  to  re([iiire  the  assistance  oi  ..  o  men  to 
enable  him  to  walk  ;  and  he  reeled  about,  and 
dropping  down  helpless  upon  the  .straw,  fell  off 
into  a  diunken  slumber.     Even  Eoborts  began  to 


i* 


38 


THE  GREEN  MOUNTAIN  BOYS 


» 


s 


It 

1  ; 


have  serious  misgivings  as  to  the  coDdition  of  his 
Colonel,  whom  he  had  seen  drain  glass  after  glass 
during  the  evening,  enough  to  turn  the  heads  of 
half  a  dozen  men.  But  no  sooner  had  the  foot- 
steps of  the  retreating  sergeant  died  away,  than 
the  labored  breathing  of  the  Colonel  suddenly 
ceased ;  and  sitting  up,  drew  off  his  boots  and 
poured  therefrom  the  r^im  that  Roberts  was 
ready  to  swear  he  had  seen  disappear  down  Al- 
len^s  throat. 

Allen  knew  the  soldiers  had  only  repaired  to  the 
house  to  allow  himself  and  his  companion  time  to 
get  sound  asleep,  when  they  wouid  return  and 
surprise  them.  What  was  to  be  done,  must  be 
done  quickly.  But  Allen  had  no  intention  of 
leaving  without  their  rifles.  While  they  debated 
as  to  the  best  method  of  securing  them,  those 
coveted  weapons  were  brought  them  by  Miss 
Richardson,  who  had  found  means  to  privately 
remove  them  from  a  window ;  then  making  their 
egress  from  the  barn,  they  hastily  sought  the 
safety  of  the  dtak  forest.    An  hour  latei*  the  ser* 


';■ 


THE  GREEN  MOUNTAIN  BOYS 


39 


L^ 


i 
1 


geants  went  to  secure  their  j)risouerB,  whom  they 
expected  to  tiud  helplessly  drunk,  but  the  bh'Js 
had  flown. 

One  Hough,  of  Clarendon,  was  persuaded  to 
accept  the  office  of  Justice  of  the  Peace  under 
xvjvv  York,  and  attempted  to  officiate  as  such.  He 
was  taken  before  the  committee  of  safety,  where 
be  piead  in  justification  that  he  was  authorized 
by  the  coiony  of  New  York.  The  committee 
caused  the  resolution  of  the  Convention  of  the 
New  Hampshire  Grants  to  be  read  to  him,  forbid- 
dmg  all  persons  holding  any  office  under  New 
York,  and  then  pronounced  judgment  on  the 
prisoner  that  he  "  be  taken  and  tied  to  a  tree,  and 
there,  on  his  naked  back,  to  receive  two  hundred 
&t-  pes  ;  his  back  being  dressed,  he  should  depart 
'^  it  of  the  district ;  and  in  the  event  of  his  return, 
imle^ij  leave  was  granted,  he  was  to  suffer  death." 
It  is  needless  to  add  the  sentence  of  whipping 
was  summarily  executed.  This  occurred  in  Jan- 
uary, 1775.  Hough  had  signaUzed  himself  as  be- 
biiX  very  active  in  procuring   the  outlawry   acts 


!■?■ 


1 


f    ^vm«t 


I     i 

,1.    ..p 

f\ 

.    '1 

1 

,1 

40 


THE   GREEN    MOUNTAIN    BOYS 


agaiijst  Allen  and  others  of  the  Greeu  Mountain 
Boys. 

Dv.  Samuel  Adams,  of  Arlington,  was  outspoken 
in  his  denunciation  of  the  Green  Mountain  Boys, 
aud  counseled  the  people  to  purchase  lands  under 
New  York  titles.  The  Djctor  was  cautioned  to 
keep  silent,  and  not  np^>dlessly  incur  their  dis- 
pleasure; but  he  deciai..  'le  would  fre6  his  mind, 
and,  providing'  himself  with  a  pair  of  good  horse- 
pistols  and  other  weapons,  said  he  was  ready  to 
silence  any  man  who  dared  to  cross  him.  He  was 
soon  afterward  surprised,  and  carried  to  the  Green 
Mountain  Tavern  at  Bennington,  where  the  com- 
mittee heard  his  defense.  Of  course  judgment 
was  rendered  against  him,  and  preparations  made 
to  carry  his  sentence  into  execution. 

As  was  common  in  those  days,  a  post  some 
twenty  or  more  feet  in  hight  held  the  tavern  sign. 
On  the  top  of  this  sign-post  was  a  stuffed  cata- 
mount's skin,  showing  large  teeth,  looking  and 
grinning  towards  New  York.  Dr.  Adams  was 
tied  in  an  arm  chair  and  hoisted  up  to  the   sign, 


.S 

-nil 

'    ih  '  5 

^ . ,  i ,;  ■ 

,  ki 

I  ,Ma.:,.  • 


Old  Catamount  Tavern. 


■It: 


p  ^ 


m 


ill  '■ 


% 

k 

THE  GRfiHN  MOltNTUTrf  BoVd 


41 


where  he  hung  two  mortal  hours,  as  a  paidsh- 
nient  for  his  treasonable  utterances.  A  large 
number  of  the  citizens  assembled  to  see  the  sen- 
tence carried  out,  and  they,  were  loud  in  theif 
jeers  and  merriment  at  the  Doctor's  discomfiv- 
ure.  He  was  then  let  down,  dismisr.ed  by  the 
committee,  and  admonished  td  go  and  sin  no 
more. 

Colonel  Ethan  Allen  was  once  on  a  tisit  td 
his  brother  Heraan,  who  was  residing  at  Salis- 
bury, Conn.  A  plot  was  laid  by  some  Yorkers  td 
capture  and  convey  him  to  the  Poughkeepsie  jail^ 
and  so  obtain  Tryon's  promised  premium.  Rob- 
ert M'Cormick^  who  was  on  intimate  terms  with 
the  family,  had  been  engaged  to  act  as  decoy^ 
He  was  to  spend  the  night  with  the  family  as 
their  guest,  and  at  a  convenient  hour,  open  the 
door  and  conduct  the  gang  to  the  apartment 
where  the  Colonel  slept.  A  sleigh  was  to  be  in 
readiness  outside,  in  which  their  prisoner  could 
be  driven  with  all  speed  out  of  Connecticut. 

M'Cormick   parted   from    his  companions    at 


at       i; 


r 


S!  'I 


I  I'. 


■I    i 


I 


!«l 


.'.  : 

1 

[ 

■''V 

i  1 

•it 

,  »: 

;  1 

'  J". 

A-. 

42 


THE  GREEN  MOUNT  MN  BOYS 


some  distance  from  Heman  Allen's  house.  He 
was  kindly  received,  and  offered  a  bed  for  the 
ni^ht.  It  was  noticed  he  was  unusually  reticent, 
and  quite  reserved  in  his  participation  in  the  hos- 
pitalities tendered  him.  He  made  some  indirect 
inquiries  after  Colonel  Allen,  who  had  ridden  out 
that  afternoon,  but  who  was  momentarily  expect- 
ed to  return. 

From  these  circumstances  Heman  was  led  to 
suspect  some  plot  was  on  foot  against  his  broth- 
er, and  so  cxpiessed  himself  on  that  gentleman's 
return.  The  Colonel  thereupon  taxed  M'Cormick 
at  his  unusual  concern,  and  so  pressed  the  poor 
fellow  that  he  confessed  there  was  a  plot  to  cap- 
ture him,  and  that  he  had  come  for  the  purpose 
of  privately  informing  him  of  it.  M'Cormick  de- 
parted soon  after,  and  told  the  gang  of  what  he 
had  done.  Preparations  were  made  for  defense 
by  the  household,  but  they  remained  through  the 
night  unmolested. 

The  scene  of  this  adventure  was  the  birthplace 
of  Ethan  and  Ira  Allen,  from  which,  at  an  early 


TITE  Gr.EEN   MOUNTAIN   BOYS 


43 


age,  they  removed  with  their  parents  to  the 
Hampshire  Grants.  Ethan  was  remarkable  for 
the  boldness  with  which  he  declared  his  opinions, 
and  a  self  confidence  that  was  abashed  bj-  no  con- 
sciousness of  ignorance.  lie  acquired  a  wide  no- 
toriety as  a  pamphleteer  during  the  Vermont 
troubles,  there  being  no  paper  published  there  at 
that  time.  His  enemies  tried  to  fix  on  him  the 
stigma  of  an  outlaw ;  and  even  so  careful  a  histo- 
rian as  Irving  is  led  to  make  the  observation  that 
he  was  '*  a  kind  of  Robin  Hood  among  the  moun- 
tains." The  late  T.  S.  Arthur  once  wrote  of  him 
as  being  a  "guerilla  chief,"  forgetting  that  he 
acted  under  the  direction  of  a  committee  of  safe- 
ty— an  authority  universally  adopted  by  the  other 
colonies  during  the  Revolution. 

Tva  Allen  was  still  further  traduced.  The 
Western  Sta?\  a  paper  published  at  Stockbridge, 
Mass.,  in  1797,  styles  him  the  "Vermont  Land 
Jobber  f  and  states  he  was  at  the  time  under  ar- 
rest for  treasonable  designs  against  the  govern- 
ment of  Great  Britain,  concluding  with  the  ob- 


:•: 


ih 


If 


■^ 


1^: 


liii 


in^; 


I    , 


44 


THE  GREEN  MOUNTAIN  BOYS 


servation — "All  humane  men  should  shudder  at 
the  idea  of  a  halter ;  and  many  honest  men  will 
rejoice  if  Allen's  liberation  puts  an  end  to  his 
restless  career  in  future."  Allen,  it  seems,  had 
been  charged  with  supplying  the  Irish,  then  in 
rebellion  agaiusfc  England,  with  arms ;  after  eight 
years  of  litigation  he  was  acquitted. 


I: 


CHAPTER  IV. 


,\.-a 


i';!.!!  r.: 


MANDATORY   LAWS    OF   NEW   YORK. 

The  spirit  of  opposition  and  resentment  had 
risen  so  high  because  of  the  events  recorded  in 
the  preceding  chapter,  that  New  York  was  led  to 
adopt  the  most  stringent  measures  of   coercion. 
The  law  which  the  wisdom  of  that  colony  devised 
to  meet  the  exigencies  of  the  occasion  w^as  a  curi- 
osity in  American  Legislation.     It  enacted  that  if 
any  person   opposed   the    civil   officers   of   New 
York,  or  burned  or  destroyed  property  belonging 
to  subjects  of  that  colony,  or  assembled  for  riot- 
ous purposes,  such  offenders  shall  be  adjudged 
guilty   of  felony,  without  benefit  of  clerejy,   and 
were  to  suffer  death  as  felons.     The  law  i^iade  it 
the  duty  of  the  Governor  to  publish  the  names  of 
offenders  indicted  for  capital  offenses,  with  an  or- 


m 


m 


li'l 


46 


THE   GREKN    MOCJNTAIN    BOYS 


If' 


(lor  roqniring  them  to  deliver  tliern selves  up  in 
seventy  clays;  in  default  of  which  the  courts  might 
award  execution  against  them  the  same  as  though 
they  had  been  tried  and  convicted — the  death 
penalty  to  be  administered  without  the  benefit  of 
clergy.  All  crimes,  therefore,  that  had  been  com- 
mitted on  the  Grants,  could  bo  tiied  at  Albany, 
and  a  neglect  to  obey  sumuions  to  deliver  one's 
person  into  custody,  was  equivalent  to  a  convic- 
tion. Thus  was  sought  to  be  evaded  the  danger- 
ous duty  of  serving  processes  on  the  Green  Moun- 
tain Boys,  and  they  would  convict  themselves  by 
refusal  to  surrender  without  the  inconvenience  of 
a  trial. 

If  this  law  was  remarkable,  the  answer  of  the 
Green  Mountain  Boys  was  no  less  so.  Said  they : 
'VBy  legerdemain,  bribary  and  deception,  they 
[the  New  Yorkers]  have  extended  their  dominion 
far  and  wide.  We  are  resolved  to  inflict  immedi- 
ate death  on  whomsoever  shall  attempt  the  appre- 
hension of  the  persons  indicted  as  rioters.  We 
will  kill  and  destroy  any  person  that  shall  be  pre- 


THE  GREEN  MOUNTAIN  BOYS 


47 


by 


suraecl  to  bo  accessory,  aidiug  or  assisting  in  lak- 
in^^-  any  of  us;  although  they  have  a  hcenso  by 
the  law  to  kill  us,  and  an  indemnilication  lor  so 
doing,   they  have  no  such  iudeainiiication    from 
the  Green  Mountain  iJoys.     if  New  York  insists 
on  killing  us  to  take  possession  of  our  vineyards, 
let  them  come  on ;  we  are  ready  for  a  game  of 
scaiping  with  them."'     These  sentiments  were  an- 
nounced by  handbills  and  in  the  papers  through- 
out New  England,  with  the  design    of    deterring 
New   York   Iroin  attempting  to  enforce  the  law, 
as  such  an  attempt  would  be  certain  to  result  in 
an  effusion    of   blood.     The    people   of   Vermont 
maintained  in   this    that    they    were   merely  con- 
tending for  justice,  and  that  the  cfficers  of  New 
York,  who  were  calling  upon  the  inhabitants  of 
Vermont  to  obey  the  royal   orders,    were   them- 
selves acting  in  open  violation  of  the  express  com- 
mands of  their  King. 

A  new  interest  may  be  awakened  when  the 
character  of  the  claimants  is  considered.  The 
Green  Mountain  Boys  were   the  actual    settlers. 


i^(. 


}  '•> 


m 
"it 


I 


II 


'-v., 


48 


THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    BOYS 


Bi 


II  It- 


Each  family  had  its  log  house  in  the  midst  of  the 
cleaiing,  ^vith  luxuriant  crops  of  corn  and  pota- 
t(  OS  growing  among  the  cbarred  stumps.  These 
pioneers  had  brought  notbing  into  the  woods  with 
them  excej^fc  what  could  be  carried  on  horseback  ; 
some  even  brought  in  their  goods  on  hand-sleds 
in  wintei,  the  infirm  and  children  being  drawn 
by  husbands  and  brothers.  A  few  cattle,  sheep 
and  hogs,  shared  rude  sheds  along  wicu  the  hors- 
es. The  rewards  of  industry  and  thrift  were  be- 
ginning to  be  rtaliztd.  Many  families  lived  re- 
mote from  eac'a  other,  and  weeks  might  often  pass 
by  without  meeting  a  neighbor.  There  was  plen- 
ty of  room  for  'he  Yorkers  if  they  wished  to  turn 
farmers,  and  were  willing  to  carve  a  home  out  of 
the  wilderness  as  others  had  done.  But  such  was 
far  from  their  purpose.  Besides,  a  farm  ready 
cleared,  with  a  snug  house  and  barn,  is  preferable 
to  one  in  the  unbroken  wilderness,  when  either 
can  be  had  for  the  taking — and  so  thought  the 
New  Yoik  laud  jobbers. 


tt 
i  - 


.  ! 


>i^t? 


iV. 


m 


i 


AFFAIR  AT  Westminster. 

Colonel  Allen  collected  the  documents  relative 
to  the  several  grants  of  the  crown,  including-  that 
to  the  Plymouth  Colony,  to  Lord  Say  and  Seal^ 
to  the  Duke  of  York,  and  some  other  papers,  and 
and  in  1774  published  them  in  a  book.  This  had 
the  fffect  of  bringing  the  Vermont  troubles  into 
notoriety.  The  newspapers  everywhere  were  civ- 
culitting  the  proceedings,  Which  resulted  in  stir- 
ting  up  public  sentiment  against  the  Crown,  as 
it  was  supposed  the  Governor  and  Cimncil  of 
New  York  were  sustained  in  their  claims  by  the 
home  government. 

Hitherto  the  opposition  to  New  Yoik  had  been 
confined  principally  to  the  inhabitants  w^est  of  the 
Green  Mountains.     As  already  stated,  the  policy 


kill  U-. 


^.li 


J 


H 


[|T  ^^ 
i 

If  I 

I?  i 


;o 


THE   (5REEN    MOtJNTMN   B0Y9 


Mil    i 


i 


i 


ill     )     ' 


if! 


m  ' 


li!f  ! 


of  New  York  had  been  to  divide  the  people  in 
their  sentiment,  by  a  conciliatory  course  in  re* 
ppeot  to  those  living  on  the  Connecticut  Biver. 
But  now  an  incident  occurred  which  had  the  ef- 
fect of  arousing  the  spirit  of  opposition  through- 
out the  whole  extent  of  the  Hampshire  Grants. 

In  September,  1775,  a  meeting  of  delegates 
from  the  several  colonies  met  at  Philadelphia,  to 
consult  upon  measures  for  the  public  safety* 
This  was  followed  by  an  almost  univeisal  suspen- 
sion of  the  royal  authority,  the  courts  being 
closed,  or  adjourned  without  doing  any  business. 
Now  York  alone  refused  assent  to  the  patriotic 
nr?easures  recommended  by  Continental  Congress. 
The  court  of  justice  for  the  County  of  Cumber- 
land, on  the  Hampshire  Grants^  was  to  be  held  in 
March  of  that  vear  at  Westminster.  Much  dis- 
satisfaction  prevailed  throughout  the  county,  be- 
cause of  the  course  adopted  by  New  York,  and  at- 
tempts were  made  to  dissuade  the  judges  from 
holding  the  court,  without  avail. 

Early  in  the  morning  of   the   day  appointed, 


rr-: 


THE   GREEN   MOUNTAIN   BOYS 


51 


the  people  of  Westminster  and  the  adjacent 
towns  took  possession  of  the  court  house  to  pre- 
vent the  officers  of  the  court  from  entering.  The 
opposing-  paity  appeared,  armed  with  guns,  pis- 
tols and  swords,  and  commanded  the  people  to 
disperse.  This  being  refused,  the  judges  and 
their  friends  retired.  About  eleven  o'clock  at 
night  they  again  appeared  and  demanded  admit- 
tance ;  being  again  refused,  they  opened  fire,  kill- 
ing one  man  and  wounding  several  more.  The 
wounded  men,  and  some  others,  were  seized  and 
dragged  to  prison. 

The  next  day  the  people  flocked  in  from  every 
part  of  the  country.  A  coronor's  inquest  w^as  in- 
stituted on  the  body  of  their  fallen  comrade,  and 
a  verdict  returned  of  "  willful  murder  by  the 
Court  Party,"  some  of  whom  were  immediately 
seized  and  placed  in  jail. 

The  news  of  this  rvent  spread  far  and  wide 
throughout  the  Hami)shire  Grants,  and  fired  the 
hearts  of  the  stern  yeomanry  with  an  irrepressi- 
ble bitterness  and  rage  against  the  authorities  of 


III 

(Iff  i 


<■■ 


m 


inn) 


wm 


W 


if: 


11  r, 


52         THE  GREEN  MOUNTAIN  BOYS 

New  York,  A  meeting  of  the  committees  of  safe- 
ty was  held  at  Westminster  the  following  month, 
at  which  spirited  and  patriotic  resolutions  were 
passed,  among  which  was  a  declaration  "  that  it 
is  the  manifest  duty  of  the  inhabitants,  on  the 
eternal  and  immutable  principles  of  self-preserva- 
tion, wholly  to  renounce  and  resist  the  adminis- 
tration of  the  province  of  New  York,  until  such 
times  as  the  lives  and  property  of  the  inhabitants 
can  be  secured  thereby."  Indeed,  such  was  the 
state  of  feeling,  that  but  for  the  ominous  occur- 
rences preceding  the  American  Revolution,  which 
for  the  time  absorbed  all  minor  considerations^ 
New  Yovk  and  Vermont  would  have  been  brought 
to  the  direful  issues  of  a  civil  war. 


■i 


L!  i  I 


w 


CHAPTER  VI. 


ATTITUDE    OF    CONGRESS. 

It  must  not  be  supposed,  however,  that  in  the 
overshadowing  event  of  the  great  drama  of  the 
Eevolution,  the  disputed  claims  to  jurisdiction 
over  Vermont  were  entirely  forgotten.  On  the 
contrary,  New  York  improved  the  very  first  op- 
portunity to  make  appUcation  to  Congress  for  a 
recognition  of  her  title  to  the  territory.  Then 
New  Hampshire,  inasmuch  as  she  had  made  the 
original  grants  of  the  soil,  memorialized  Congress 
for  a  recognition  of  her  claims.  Next  Massachu- 
setts, fearing  lest  the  others  should  proceed  to 
carve  up  ihe  disputed  territory  as  they  could  mu- 
tually agree,  interposed  her  plea  for  a  portion,  as 
coming  rightfully  under  her  jurisdiction.  So, 
while  Vermont  was  battling  bravely  with  the  com- 


II'"  t 


i 


m  r^ 


;  ^ 


64 


THE   GREEN   MOUNTAIN    BOYS 


11 


M 


■  :  i 


i ;.   « 


,■  Ml 


mon  enemy  devastating  her  borders,  she  had  to 
contend  with  the  plots  and  baneful  policy  of  three 
beleaguering  and  powerful  States ;  and  she  only 
asked  of  Congress  an  independent  sovereignty 
and  even-handed  justice. 

Thus  were  four  factions  asserting  a  right  to  a 
jurisdiction  over  the  territory,  and  each  demand- 
ing of  Congress  a  recognition  of  its  claims.  That 
body  chose  the  wisest  course  practicable.  It  ad- 
vised each  party  to  refrain  from  a  forcible  exer- 
cise of  authority  over  the  disputed  territory  as  a 
preliminary  measure  to  future  adjustment.  To 
this  New  I'oi  k,  Massachusetts  and  New  Hampshire 
readily  agreed,  and  authorized  Congress  to  settle 
the  whole  matter  in  controversy. 

But  the  Green  Mountain  State  was  of  differ- 
ent mettle.  She  had  already  declared  herself  free 
and  independent;  she  had  boldly  assuuied  the 
powers  of  government,  and  had  exercised  those 
powers  in  every  part  of  her  territory.  She  was 
not  willing  to  surrender  her  sovereignty  at  the 
behests  of  a  Congress  by  which  her  rights  were 


THE  GREEN  MOUNmiN  BOYS  55 

not  respected,  and  in  which  she  was  not  lepro- 
sented.  She  was  ready,  as  she  had  ever  been,  to 
bear  her  share  oi:  the  war  with  Great  Britain,  and 
her  sturdy  Green  Mountain  i^ojs  hud  more  than 
once  proved  their  valor  and  patriotism  on  the 
bloody  Held ;  but  she  would  not  consent  to  resign 
her  just  rights  to  the  arbitrament  of  any  body 
of  men  under  heaven. 

In  June,  1780,  Congress  declared  "  that  the 
proceedings  of  the  inhabitants  on  the  New  Hamp- 
shire Grants  were  highly  unwirrantable,  and  sub- 
versive of  the  peace  and  welfare  of  the  United 
States ;  and  that  they  be  strictly  required  to  ab- 
stain in  the  future  from  all  acts  of  authority,  civil 
or  military,  over  those  inhabitants  who  profess 
allegiance  to  other  States." 

Undaunted  by  this  reprimand,  Vermont  re- 
sponded, through  her  Governor  and  Council,  that 
she  considered  the  same  subversive  of  her  in- 
alienable rights ;  that  it  was  not  in  accord  with 
the  principal  on  which  Congress  grounded  its  own 
independence  ;    and   that  it  was  contrary  to  the 


II 


iiii 


m 


TWW 


w 


>  . 


'6 


Tnr    GREM    M    TJNTAIN    BOYS 


11;} 


m 


1 


pjovisio'i  of  the  FeJrral  Constitution  forbiddii^g 
Ci  iigiess  to  mfdclle  with  the  internal  policy  of 
unrepresented  territory.  Vermont  farther  inti- 
mated that  if  the  present  couivse  was  persisted  in, 
she  would  have  no  motive  to  continue  hostilities 
with  Great  Biitain,  and  maintain  an  important 
fi  ntier  for  a  country  that  treated  her  people  as 
slaves  ;  but  that  it  would  remain  for  her  to  finally 
appeal  to  God  and  to  an  impartial  world,  to  say 
who  would  be  accountable  for  the  awful  conse- 
quences that  must  ensue. 

And  now  having  outlined  thus  much  in  ad- 
vance by  way  of  a  better  understanding  of  our 
subject,    we    will  proceed  to  treat  more  in  detail. 


i*3? 


'fll 


11 


CHAPTRR  VTI. 


PALL    OF    TICONDEROGA. 


On  thft  Tiio-ht  of  the  17th  of  April,  1755,  a  Ian- 
tern  wan  bniicf  out  from  an  upper  winrlow  of  the 
North  Church  of  Boston.  Never  did  the  beams 
of  a  tallow  dip  go  forth  on  more  momentous  er- 
rand. As  the  feeble  rays  shot  out  into  the  night, 
few  realized  therein  a  symbol  of  the  cause  of  Lib- 
ertv  that  was  so  soon  to  be  consecrated  with  pa- 
triot blood,  and  that  was  destined  to  create  a  ref- 
uge for  the  oppressed  of  every  land.  Hostile 
British  troops  were  silently  threading  the  dark 
marshes,  and  this  was  the  signal  to  the  minute 
men  to  piepare  for  tht ir  coming. 

The  British  had  placed  guards  on  all  the  roads 
leading  out  of  Boston  to  prevent  all  intelligence 
of  the  midnight  sally  from  getting   abroad;  but 


ii 


1 


! 


f 


lis 


ill' 


I 


4  ^ 


I 


68 


Ttlte   GilEEN   MOtlNtMN   i30Va 


tiio  enemy  Lad  proceeded  only  a  few  miles  when 
alarm  guns,  booming  through  the  night  air,  and 
the  clanging  of  village  bells,  showed  that  the 
news  of  their  approach  was  traveling  before  them, 
and  tLat  the  country  was  rising.  An  express  waa 
sent  back  to  Boston  for  a  reinforcement,  and  Ma- 
jor Pitcairn  was  detached  to  press  forward  with 
all  speed. 

About  seventy  of  the  yeomanry  of  the  country 
had  been  drawn  up  in  military  array  near  the 
church  on  the  village  green  at  Lexington.  Pit- 
icairn  halted  his  men  within  a  shoft  distance  of 
the  church,  and  ordered  them  to  prime  and  load. 
They  then  advanced  at  double  quick.  The  Ma- 
jor, riding  forward,  shouted,  '*  Disperse,  ye 
rebels!  lav  down  your  arms  and  disperse!  "  The 
pntriots  refused  to  obey;  nor  were  they  put  to 
flight  until  eight  of  their  little  band  were  Inlled 
and  ten  wounded.  The  victors  formed  on  the 
common,  fired  a  volley,  and  gave  three  cheers  for 
their  inglorious  tiiumph.  Colonel  Smith  now 
ariived  with  the  remainder  of  the  force,  and  the 


a 


r 

i 


THE  GREEN  MOUNTAIN  BOYS  59  'j 

march  was  resumed  to  the  little  village  of  Con-  ^ 

cord.  u* 

There  the  alarm  had  preceded  them,  arousiiinf  ih 

the  inhabitants  in  the  dead  hour  of  nij^ht.      The  | 

church  bell  called  together  the  inhabitants.     The  ilii 

minute  men  seized  their  arms  and  paraded  near 
the  church.  Efforts  were  being  made  to  conceal 
the  military  stores.     A  hoi'senian  brought  word  |f'l 

that  the  British  troops  had  fired  upon  the  people 
at  Lexington,  and  were  then  advancing  iu  victori- 
ous array  upon  Concord. 

The  excitement  and  indignation  of  the  brave 
patriots  were  fully  roused.  Some  of  the  militia 
marched  down  the  road  to  meet  the  English 
force,  and  reported  it  to  be  three  times  their 
own.  They  now  retired  to  an  eminence  about  a 
mile  from  the  centre  of  the  to^wn. 

About  seven  o'clock  the  British  troops  hove  in 
Bight,  with  flags  displayed  and  arms  glittering  in 
the  morning  sun.  A  strong  detachment  took  post 
on  the  green,  while  parties  were  sent  out  to  de- 
stroy the  military  stores.     The   yeomanry   from 


m 

ii 


I'  M  1 


m 


K^ 


CO 


THE   ORKEN   MOUNTATN   BOYfl 


the  surronndingf  countiy  were  pouring  in  with 
such  arms  as  thoy  coiikl  obtain,  until  the  little 
war-fi^atbeiingf  on  the  hight  nuinT)ered  nearly  five 
hundred.  At  ten  o'clock  a  body  of  three  hundred 
dislodged  tbe  British  from  the  north  bridge,  with 
a  loss  of  two  men  killed.  By  this  time,  the  stoies 
having  been  destroyed,  the  enemy  prepared  to  re- 
treat. 

The  British  troops  were  jaded  with  their  long 
nigbt  marcb,  but  there  was  no  rest  or  safety  for 
them  sbort  of  Boston.  On  tbeir  return  marcb, 
the  adjacent  rocks  and  stone  fences  formed  con 
venient  breastworks,  from  behind  which  rustic 
marksmen  sent  the  deadly  bullet  full  into  their 
ranks.  Some  were  shot  down :  others  dropped 
from  sheer  exhaustion:  the  rest  hurried  on  with 
no  care  for  their  fallen   comrades. 

Before   reaching    Lexington,    Colonel    Smith 

received  a  severe  wound  in  the  leg.     About  two 

o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  they  were  met  by  i 

tachment  one   thousand  strong,  with   two    h    d- 

4  pieces.     This    was   the   reinforcement    that    bad 


THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    BOYS 


Gl 


marclied  so  gaily  through  Roxbiiry  to  the  tuiu^  of 
''  Yankee  Doodle,"  in  derision  of  the  rebels.  The 
troops  opened  to  the  right  and  loft,  allowing  the 
retreating  soldiers  to  throw  themselves  into  the 
hollow  square  to  rest.  A  httie  after  sunset  the 
purs'jit  terminated  at  Charlestown  common.  A 
half  hour  afterward,  a  powerful  body  of  men 
from  Marblehead  and  Salem  came  up  to  join  in 
the  chase.  Thus  the  ministerial  troops  narrowly 
escai)ed  being  cut  off.  The  iJritish  loss  was 
seventy-three  killed,  and  one  hundred  and  seventy- 
four  wounded;  that  of  the  patriots  forty-nine 
killed  and  thirty-nine  wounded. 

The  cry  for  vengeance  at  this  desecration  of 
American  soil  resounded  through  the  land. — 
Measures  were  concerted  in  council ;  the  outrage 
was  discussed  in  cabin  and  palace,  and  around  the 
camp-fire  of  the  hunter ;  while  the  voice  of  su23pli- 
cation  from  altar  and  dwelling  was  heard,  asking 
the  Almighty  to  bless  the  patriot  cause. 

As  by  common  impulse,  public  attention  was 
turned  to  the   British  foi  tresses  of  Ticonderoga 


I 


! 


1 


14 


^ 


:f « 


62 


THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    EOYS 


and  crown  Point,  against  which  retaliatory  meas- 
ures could  be  employed  witli  the  best  effect.  As 
these  forts  were  located  near  the  homes  of  the 
Green  Mountain  Boys,  and  their  hardy  courage 
fitted  them  for  a  duty  of  this  kind,  requests  were 
sent  simultaneously  from  several  of  the  proviuces 
to  Ethan  Allen*  and  his  followers  to  surprise  aud 
capture  those  places.  Tlie  provincial  Legislature 
of  Connecticut,  though  not  openly  sauctionii^g  the 
invasion,  lent  money  from  its  treasury  to  those 
engaged  in  it,  and  appointed  a  committee  to  as- 
sist in  raising  troops  and  supervising  their  man- 
agement. The  force  finally  engaging  in  the  ex- 
pedition   was    about    two   hundred    and  seventy 


!     -t- 

t 

i! 

1 

*  Irving  describes  Allen  as  "wcll-fittcd  for  the  enterprise 
by  his  experience  as  a  frontier  chani])ion,  his  robustness  of 
mind  and  body,  and  his  fearless  spirit,  lie  liad  a  rongh 
kind  of  eloquence,  also,  tliat  was  very  effective  with  his 
followers."  "His  style,"  says  another  who  knew  him  per- 
sonally, "was  a  sinj^ular  compound  of  local  bsirbaiisms,  scrip- 
tural phrases,  and  oriental  wildness  :  and  thouj^h  unclassic, 
and  sometimes  unj^'rammatical,  was  highly  animated  and 
forcible."  General  Washington  wrote,  "tliere  is  uu  ori^-inal 
bouiothiuj^  in  him  which  communda  attention. " 


m 


THE  GREEN  MOUNTAIN  BOYS 


03 


;*:! 


strong,  composed  of  Green  Mountain  Rangers, 
with  the  exception  of  sixteen  men  from  Connecti- 
cut and  a  score  or  so  from   Massachusetts. 

Towards  the  close  of  April,  1775,  it  was  evi- 
dent something  of  unusual  interest  was  transpir- 
ing in  the  Hampshire  Grants.  The  labors  of  the 
farm  were  neglected  at  a  time  when  they  would 
require  most  attention,  and  with  one  accord  each 
sturdy  husbandman  shouldered  his  trusty  rifle, 
and  silently  betook  himself  to  a  journey. 

The  course  of  each  led  through  the  wilderness 
toward  a  central  point  near  Bennington  ;  and,  be- 
fore long,  a  motley  array  of  mountaineers,  in 
rough  garb  but  of  tried  strength  and  valor,  were 
gathered  as  though  for  some  military  exploit. 
Colonel  Ethan  Allen  was  placed  at  the  head  of 
the  exx)edition, — James  Eaton  and  Seth  Warner 
being  second  and  third  in  command:  the  troops 
arrived  at  Shoreham,  opposite  Fort  Ticonderoga, 
on  the  night  of  the  7th  of  May.  Detachments 
were  sent  off  to  Skenesborough  (now  Whitehall), 
and  other  points,  to   secure   all    the   boats    they 


i 


It 


i  .»< 


n 


riii 


H 


w 


64 


THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    BOYS 


could  find  for  the  transportation  of  the  troops  to 
th  j^  opposite  shore. 

About  this  time  Benedict  Arnold  appeared 
among  them,  thirsting  for  military  glory.  He 
bore  a  colonel's  commission  from  the  Massachu- 
setts committee  of  safety,  and  attempted  to  as- 
sume command  of  the  expedition.  The  Green 
Mountain  Boys,  however,  would  follow  no  leader 
but  Allen,  and  Arnold  was  obliged  to  yield,  en- 
gaging to  act  as  volunteer,  with  the  rank  but  not 
the  command  of  colonel. 

The  night  of  the  9th  of  May  had  arrived,  but 
not  so  the  boats  for  which  detachments  had  been 
sent  in  quest.  Yet  it  was  deemed  best  not  to  de- 
lay the  enterprise,  and  transportation  was  com- 
menced with  the  few  boats  at  command.  The 
work  proceeded  slowly ;  day  was  about  to  break 
when  Allen  and  Arnold,  with  only  eighty-three 
men,  had  crossed.  To  wait  another  day  would 
lead  to  discovery  by  the  garrison.  Allen  drew  up 
his  men  and  announced  to  them  his  purpose.  "  It 
is   a   desperate  attempt,''  said  he,  ''and  I  ask  no 


11, 


THE  GREEN  MOUNT  UN  BOYS 


65 


man  to  go  against  his  will.  You  who  are  willing 
to  follow,  poise  your  firelocks."  Not  a  soldier 
shrank  from  his  duty. 

Guided  by  a  boy,  they  mounted  the  hill  si- 
lently and  at  a  rapid  pace.  Day  was  breaking  as 
Allen,  with  Arnold  at  his  left  hand,  arrived  at  a 
sally  port.  A  sentry  snapped  his  piece  at  him 
and  retreated,  closely  followed  by  Allen  and  his 
men.  Another  sentinel  thrust  at  Eaton  with  his 
bayonet,  but  was  struck  down,  when  he  begged 
lustily  for  quarter.  His  life  was  spared  on  con- 
dition of  his  leading  the  way  instantly  to  the 
quarters  of  the  Commandant  who  was  yet  in  bed. 
Allen  thundered  at  the  door,  and  demanded  a 
surrender  of  the  fort.  The  Commandant  ap- 
peared at  the  door  half  dressed,  "  the  frightened 
face  of  his  pretty  wife  appearing  over  his  shoul- 
der." By  this  time  the  Green  Mountain  Boys  had 
formed  on  the  parade  ground,  and  were  giving 
ve  it  to  hf^arty  chears.  Tha  garrison  were  made 
prisoners  as  they  rushed  forth  in  their  confusion, 
having  been    startled   out   of   their    sleep.     The 


'  I 


'ii 


^, 


1 


i 


I 


GG 


THE   GREEN    MOUNTAIN   BOYS 


iJ  - 


Commandant  was  bewildered  at  what  be  beheld, 
and  addressing  Allen,  cried  out,  "  By  wliar  au- 
thority do  you  act  ?  "  '*  In  the  name  of  the  g  Td,-; 
Jehovah  and  the  Continental  Congress !  "  wa«:  Ibe 
reply. 

Captain  Delaplace  with  forty-eight  of  his  men, 
a  great  supply  of  much  needed  military  and  naval 
stores,  and  a  valuable  fortress,  were  among  the 
tiophies  of  this  biilliant  dash  of  inexperienced 
farmer  soldiers. 

Colonel  Seth  Warner,  \vho  had  now  come  over 
from  Shoreham  with  the  lesidue  of  the  troops, 
was  sent  with  a  detachment  against  Crown  Point, 
an  express  having  been  previously  dispatched  to 
Captain  Balder,  of  Onion  River,  forty  miles  dis- 
tant, to  c(  me  with  his  company  to  assist.  Cap- 
tains Warner  and  Baker  appeared  before  Crown 
Point  nearly  at  the  same  time;  the  garrison,  con- 
sisting only  of  a  sergeant  and  twelve  men,  surren- 
dered without  tiring  a  gun.  Here  were  taken  up- 
ward of  a  hundred  cannon.  On  his  way  down, 
Captain  Baker  intercepted  two  small  boats  which 


THE  GREEN   MOUNTAIN   BOYS 


67 


bad  been  sent  to  give  the  alarm  to  St.  Johns,  on 
the  Sorel  River, 

Arnold  now  insisted  on  being  given  the  com- 
mand of  the  fortress,  as  being  the  only  officer 
clothed  with  legal  authority.  Allen  was  too  pop- 
tilar  to  be  eclipsed  by  the  assumptions  of  Ar- 
nold ;  and  the  Connecticut  committee,  which  had 
accompanied  the  enterprise,  gave  an  instrument 
in  writing  investing  Allen  with  fnll  command  of 
the  fort  and  its  dependencies,  until  he  should  be 
in  receipt  of  orders  from  the  Connecticut  Assem- 
bly or  Continental  Congress.  Arnold  was  forced 
to  content  himself,  meanwhile,  wdth  a  statement 
of  his  grievances  to  the  Massachusetts  Legisla- 
ture. 

Just  at  this  time  a  new  project  was  set  on  foot 
which  had  the  effect  to  appease  the  restless  spirit 
of  Arnold.  The  detachment  originally  sent  to 
Skenesborough  arrived  with  a  schooner  and  sev- 
eral bateaux.  Allen  and  Arnold  arranged  to  con- 
tinue their  conquests  by  an  attempt  to  surprise 
St.  Johns,  the  frontier  post  of  Canada.     Arnold, 


i 


r 


68 


THE   GREEN   MOUNTAIN    BO 73 


' 


who  had  been  a  seaman  in  his  youth,  took  com- 
mand of  the  schooner,  which  had  been  furnished 
with  cannon  and  ammunition  from  the  fort,  while 
Arnold  and  his  Green  Mountain  Boys  embarked 
in  the  bateaux. 

Arnohl  outsailed  the  other  craft,  surprised  the 
post  of  St.  Jobris,  and  made  its  garrison  prisoners; 
captured  the  King's  sloop  of  s-eventy  tons,  with 
two  brass  pieces  and  seven  men  ;  took  four  bateaux 
and  destroyed  several  others;  and  then,  learning 
that  troops  were  on  the  way  from  Montreal  and 
Chamblee,  spread  his  sails  to  the  breeze  and 
swept  up  the  lake  with  his  prizes  and  his  prison- 
eis,  and  some  valuable  stores. 

On  the  way  he  met  Allen  and  the  bateaux. 
Salutes  were  exchanged,  cannon  answering  to 
musketry.  Learning  from  Arnold  the  particulars 
of  his  victory,  Allen  determined  to  push  on  and 
occupy  the  vacated  post.  The  Canadian  rein- 
fo  cement  had  already  taken  possession  on  his  ar- 
rival, so  he  returned  to  Ticouderoija. 

This  series  of  brilliant  exploits  was  hailed  as 


K; 


THE  GREEN  MOUNTAIN  BOYS 


G9 


if  in  requital  for  the  recent  acts  of  British  atroci- 
ty, and  as  an  omen  of  a  brighter  future  for  the 
coh)nies.  To  the  adherents  of  the  Crown  it  must 
have  been  the  occasion  of  astonishment  and 
alarm.  It  drew  public  attention  to  the  prowess 
of  the  Green  Mountain  Boys;  and  their  leaders, 
from  being  denominated  outlaws,  were  now  ex- 
tolled as  patriots. 

The  capture  of  those  frontier  posts  impressed 
the  American  people  with  a  sense  of  their  ability 
to  cope  with  the  disciplined  soldiers  of  England, 
and  helped  some  to  decide  for  independence  who 
bad  trembled  in  the  balance,  and  at  the  same 
time  contributed  to  render  preparations  for  de- 
fense more  prompt  and  effectual. 


fT^ 


^mamma 


\l     ? 


CHAPTER  VIII. 


EXPEDITION    INTO   CANADA 


'5     ■ 
1'  '   • 


f  ■■:  i 

Ji 


Although  these  dashing  exploits  met  with  the 
unquahtied  approval  of  public  seutimeiit  through- 
out the  country,  yet  Congress  for  a  time  wavered 
as  to  the  disposition  of  the  captured  fortresses. 
An  endorsement  of  those  victories  by  that  body 
would  destroy  ail  chances  of  an  ultimate  recon- 
ciliation with  England,  of  which  some  entertained 
strong  hopes ;  others  thought  the  day  for  a 
peaceable  settlement  had  passed,  and  insisted  that 
those  victories  should  be  followed  by  energetic 
action.  The  Gieen  Mountain  Boys  kept  posses- 
sion of  the  forts  until  Congiess  had,  so  to  speak, 
legitimated  their  capture,  and  by  its  order,  Colo- 
nel Hin man's  regiment  of  Connecticut  troops  was 
dispatched  to  relieve  them. 


THE  GREEN  MOUNTAIN  BOYS  71 

Another  question  had  arisen  as  to  which 
should  have  the  credit  of  capturing  the  posts,  Al- 
len or  Arnold.  Both  had  sent  dispatches  to  the 
provincial  authorities,  with  an  accouut  of  the  cap- 
ture, each  clainjing  the  honor  of  victory.  "  Colo- 
nel Allen,"  wrote  Arnold  to  the  Massachusetts 
committee  of  safety,  "  is  a  proper  man  to  head 
his  own  wild  people,  but  is  entirely  unacquainted 
with  military  service ;  and  as  I  am  the  only  per- 
son who  has  been  legally  authorized  to  take  com- 
mand of  this  place,  I  am  determined  to  insist  on 
Uiy  rights,  .  .  and  shall  keep  the  fort  at  every 
hazard,  until  I  have  further  orders."  The  Massa- 
chusetts authorities  leferred  the  matter  to  Con- 
gress. 

Allen  had  written  to  the  Albany  committee  for 
men  and  provisions  to  enable  him  to  maintain  his 
conquest.  That  committee  feared  retaliatory 
measures  from  Great  Britain,  and  asked  advice  of 
the  New  York  committee ;  but  that  body  was  al- 
so unequal  to  the  task  of  acting  in  a  matter  of 
such  moment,  and  referred  likewise  to  Congress. 


:fl| 


72 


THE   GREEN    MOUNTAIN    BOYS 


Botb  Allen  and  Arnold  were  ambitious  for  fur- 
ther laurels,  and  each  were  anxious  to  lead  an  ex- 
pedition into  Canada.  Allen  wrote  to  the  N(iW 
York  authorities  in  this  straui :  '*  If  the  Colonies 
would  suddenly  push  an  army  of  two  or  three 
thou!?and  strong-  into  Canada,  they  might  make 
an  easy  conquest,  except  a  reinforcement  from 
England  should  pi  event  it.  Such  a  diversion 
would  \Neaken  Gage,  and  insure  us  Canada.  I 
wish  to  God  America  wouid,  at  this  critical  junc- 
ture, exert  herself  agreeably  to  the  indignity  of- 
fered her  by  a  tyrannical  ministry.  She  might 
rise  on  eagles'  wings,  and  mount  up  to  gloiy, 
freedom  and  immortal  honor,  if  she  did  but  know 
and  exert  her  strength.  Fame  is  now  hoveling 
over  her  head.  A  vast  continent  must  now  sink 
to  slavery,  poverty,  horror  and  bondage,  or  rise 
to  unconquerabie  freedom,  immense  wealth,  inex- 
piessible  felicity,  and  immortal  fame.  I  will  lay 
my  life  on  it,  that  with  fifteen  hundred  men  and 
a  proper  train  of  artulery  I  will  take  Montreal. 
Provided  I  could  be  thus  furnished,  and  if  an  ar- 


i 


hi 

I  !:■■■« 


THE  GREEN  MOUNT  \IN  BOYS 


73 


' 


i 


xny  ooukl  command  the  field,  it  would  be  no  insi- 
perable  difficulty  to  take  Quebec."  A  letter  in 
similar  stiain  was  written  by  Arnold  to  the  Gov- 
ernor of  Connecticut. 

About  this  time  Captain  Remember  liaker  was 
killed  by  an  Indian  in  the  British  service.  This 
beinpf  the  first  blood  shed  in  the  northern  depart- 
ment, his  death  made  more  noise  in  the  country 
than  wou'd  the  loss  of  a  hundred  men  toward  the 
close  of  the  war. 

On  the  arrival,  at  Ticonderop^a,  of  Colonel 
Hi n man's  Connecticut  troops,  the  greater  part  of 
the  Green  Mountain  Boys  returned  to  their  hc^mes. 
Ethan  Allen  and  Seth  Warner  repaired  to  Con- 
gress to  get  pay  for  their  men,  and  to  solicit  au- 
thority to  raise  a  new  regiment.  They  were  re- 
ceived with  distinguished  marks  of  honor  by  that 
body.  The  same  pay  was  awarded  them  that  was 
given  to  the  Continental  troops  ;  and  it  was  recom- 
mended to  the  New  York  Convention  that  a  corps 
of  Green  Mountain  Boys  should  be  raised  to  serve 
under  tfficers  of  their  own  choosing. 


74 


TITK    aHEEN    MOUNTAIN   1)0 YH 


To  tho  Convention  of  New  York  Allen  and 
Warner  accordingly  repaired — tlie  province  on 
whose  statute  bool^s  was  recorded  an  unrepealed 
act  of  outlawry  against  them- — and  boldly  asked 
for  an  audience.  There  was  at  first  some  demur- 
ring as  to  their  admission  to  the  Hall  of  Assem- 
bly ;  but  patriotism,  and  an  overruling  necessity^ 
plead  in  their  behalf.  A  regiment  of  Green 
Mountain  Boys,  five  hundred  strong,  was  de- 
creed, and  the  people  of  the  Grants  were  notified 
of  the  resolve,  and  requested  to  raise  the  regi- 
ment. 

Congress  was  not  at  first  inclined  to  favor  an 
invasion  into  Canada,  but  subsequent  develop- 
ments induced  a  change  in  its  ]>lanR.  The  recent 
exploits  on  the  Lake  had  produced  a  favorable  ef- 
fect on  the  Canadians,  and  it  was  thought  they 
would  flock  to  the  patiiot  standard  were  it  un- 
furled among  them  with  an  imposing  force.  Be- 
sides, another  effectual  blow  in  this  quarter  might 
paialyze  all  hostility,  if  given  before  there  had 
been  time  to  rally. 


! 


i 


Vv. 


THE   ORKKN    MOUNTAIN    BOYS 


n 


Tbat  body    thought   Geneial    Schuyler   a   fit 
leade^r  for  the  undertaking,  in  which  sentiment  it 
was  heartily  seconded  by  Washington.     Schuyler 
at  once  set  about  his  duties  amid  difliculties  that 
well  nigh  distracted  him.     He  had  calculated  on 
being  joined  at  a  certain  (hite  by  the  regiment  of 
Green  Mountain  Boya  which    Allen    and  Warner 
bad  undertaken  to  raise   in   the   Grants.     But  a 
quarrel  had  ensued   between    those   brothers  in 
arms,  which  filled  the  Green  Mountains  wilh  dis- 
cord and  party  feuds.     The   election  of   offi^-ers 
took  place  on  the  27th   of    July,  by   committees 
from  the  different  townships.     Ethan  Allen  had 
been  passed  by,  and  Seth    Warner   nominated  a 
Lieutenant-Colonel  of  the  regiment.    This  was  a 
erushing  blow  to  the  ambition  of  Allen.     He  said 
in  his  letters  from  camp :  *'  I  find  myself   in   the 
favor  of  the  officers  of  the  army,  and  the  younger 
Oreen  Mountain  Boys ;  but  the   old   farmers   on 
the  Hampshire  Grants,  who  do  not  incline  to  go 
to  war,  and  whom   1   have   saved   from    the   en- 
iiroachments  of  New  York,  have  met  in  a  commit- 


frr^ 


%• 


•   *.1 


|U-4: 

ill' 


7r> 


THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    BOy3 


tee  meetijjg,  and  in  their  nominations  have  wholly 
omitted  nie."  i^llen  rejairtd  to  Ticonderoga, 
where  he  was  retained  to  act  as  pioneer  on  the 
Canadian  frontier. 

The  expedition  against  Canada  had  been  de- 
termined on.  Arnoid,  more  fortunate  tliat  his  ri- 
val, had  attained  the  object  of  his  ambition,  which 
was  no  less  than  the  command  of  a  force  against 
Cf.inada:  he  was  to  proceed  l)y  way  of  the  Kenne- 
bec River. 

At  the  beginning  of  Reptember,  Gen.  Schuy- 
ler, who  commanded  the  main  expedition,  was 
stationed  with  his  little  armv  at  Islo  Aux  Noix,  at 
the  outlet  of  Lake  Chan) plain.  From  this  point 
he  sent  out  Colonel  Ethan  Allen  and  Major 
Erown  to  reconnoitre  the  country,  distribute 
fiiendly  addresses  anjr)ng  the  people,  and  ascer- 
tain their  feelings.  Then  proceeding  along  tho 
Sorel  River,  he  approached  the  fort  at  St.  Johns, 
when  a  cannonade  opened,  and  a  slight  action  en- 
sued. Night  coming  on,  they  cast  up  a  small  in- 
trenchment  aud  encamped.     Owing  to  unfavora- 


m%i^' 


i: 


• 


THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    BOYS 


77 


ble  intelligence  they  witlidievv  to  Isle  Aux  Noix 
to  await  the  arrival  of  artillery  and  reinl'orce- 
ments. 

Meanwhile,  Allen  utnrned  from  his  reconnoi- 
tering-  expcditiou,  of  which  he  gave  a  nKjst  en- 
couraging repoit.  Th(  Canadian  captains  of  the 
iniHtia  were  ready,  he  said,  to  join  the  Americans 
whene'er  they  .shouLl  ap})ear  with  sutiticient 
force.  He  Ijad  held  talk?,  too,  with  the  Indians, 
and  found  them  well  disposed.  He  was  con- 
vinced tliat  an  inroad  into  the  province  would 
meet  with  a  hea'  ty  cooperation. 

Preparations  were  made  for  a  second  invest- 
ment of  St.  Johns,  and  Etiian  Allen  was  sent  to 
beat  up  for  recruita  among  the  people  he  had 
lately  vi'ritL'd,  while  Major  lirown  was  dispatched 
with  one  huiich'ed  and  thirty  men  to  make  friends 
in  the  vicinity  of  Chambiee,  and  form  a  junction 
with  the  ainiv  as  soon  as  it  should  arrive  at  St. 
Johns. 

General  Schuvler  had  been  for  some  time  the 
victim  of  a  compiicatiou  of  maladies.     When  ev- 


7§ 


THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    BOYS 


ery  thing  was  in  readiness  for  his  elepjirture,  he 
was  attacked  by  a  severe  access  of  liis  disorder, 
wliich  compelled  him  to  turn  over  the  conduct  of 
the  expedition  to  General  Ilichard  jMontgoniery. 
He  then  set  out  in  a  covered  barge  for  Ticoiider- 
oga.  All  hour  after  his  departure  he  met  Colonel 
Warner  with  one  hundred  and  lifty  Green  Moun- 
tain lioyy,  the  first  that  had  reported  of  the  new 
regiment.  Some  had  deserted,  and  the  remain- 
der were  at  Crown  Point,  whence  they  were  about 
to  embark.  About  three  hundred  of  the  regiment 
filially  joined  t)'e  expedition. 

The  investment  of  St.  Johns  was  begun,  yet  it 
proceeded  but  slowly.  A  letter  had  been  received, 
meantime,  froui  Colonel  Allen,  giving  high  hopes 
of  further  reinforcement.  *•  I  am  now,"  wrote  he, 
*'  at  the  palish  of  St.  Ours,  four  leagues  from 
Sorel  to  tilt;  South.  I  have  two  hundred  and  tif- 
ty  Canadiiins  under  arms.  Ah  I  march  they  gath- 
er fa.st.  You  may  rely  on  it  that  I  shall  join  you 
in  about  thiee  days  witli  live  hundred  or  more 
Cauadiau  VuiuuLeers.     I  could  raise  one  or  two 


TIIK  (JREIiN  MOUNTAIN  liOYS 


70 


tbonsa^id  iii  a  Bingle  week'a  time;  but  I  will  firyt 
viisit  iij(»  ai'iriy  with  ?»  loss  iiumbci',  and  if  iiiC(!S- 
Gavy,  go  a;^ain  locmitiiig.  Tiiose  who  used  to  be 
eneinits  to  our  causi:;  coiiio,  eap  in  iiaiid,  to  me  ; 
and  I  swear  by  the  Lord  I  ciui  raise  thi'oe  tiuies 
the  numbe'-  oi  oar  army  in  (Jai:ada,  provided  y(m 
contirme  the  sieg{\  The  eyes  of  all  Ameiicu,  na}' 
of  Euro].>e,  are  or  will  be  on  the  econont}^  ol'  this 
army,  and  the  eousotiueuccs  attending  it." 

Colonel  Ethan  Alien  wixa  on  his  way  to  8t. 
Johns  when  he  mh;t  Mtijur  Drown  with  his  detach- 
ment. A  convereation  ensutd,  during  which 
Brown  remarked  that  the  garrison  at  Montreal 
divl  not  exceed  thirty  nien,  and  might  easily  be 
surprised.  Allen's  nature  was  uibtantly  aroused. 
Here  was  an  o[)portunity  for  another  bold  stroke 
like  Ihat  at  Ticonderoga.  A.  piaji  was  forthwith 
agieed  upon,  Alien  wiis  to  r(?tui-n  to  a  point 
nearly  cipposite  Montreal,  and  cross  the  river,  by 
means  of  caiioes,  a  little  below  the  town  in  the 
t ;  while    Brown  aj'reed  to    cross    with    two 


nii/i 


*fa 


hundred  men  a  little  above;  and  tiie  two  deiach. 


It  '  i  <a 


j  ' 


hi' 


80 


THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    BOYS 


i 


meuts  were  to  attack  Moutreal  siinullaiieoualy  at 
o^jpofciite  points. 

The  two  parties,  wlio  were  several  miles  horn 
each  other,  mutually  agreed  that  in  the  event  of 
either  bein<^  hindered  i'rcm  coining  at  the  tinio 
appointed,  eaily  notice  should  be  given  to  the 
othei".  The  night  proved  windy,  and  Brown, 
judging  it  dangerous  to  attempt  crossing  the  riv- 
er in  canoes,  went  quietly  to  rest.  Allen,  appre- 
hending no  danger  from  the  wind,  on  the  night 
of  the  24th  of  September  sent  the  few  canoes  in 
his  possession  repeatedly  across  the  river,  lirst 
taking  the  precaution  of  stationing  guards  in  the 
roads  to  prevent  any  alarm  reaching  Montreal. 
As  he  had  heard  nothing  to  the  contrary  from 
Brown,  he  supposed  that  officer  to  be  caiiymg 
out  his  part  of  the  enterprise. 

The  day  advanced,  but  no  sr'gnal  came  from 
Major  Brown.  It  was  evident  he  had  not  crossed. 
Alien  would  gladly  have  retraced  the  steps  he 
had  taken,  but  it  was  too  late.  Information  had 
been  conveyed  to  the  town,  and  a  force  of  fuity 


THE  GREEN  MOUNT  \IX  BOYS 


ai 


- 


rej^n^ar  troops  were  sent  out  to  attack  him.  A 
siuart  action  ensued ;  most  of  Allen's  Canadian 
recruits  i>ave  wav  and  fled ;  a  number  of  Araori- 
cans  were  slain ;  at  last  he  surrendered  to  Major 
Campbell,  honorable  terms  being  promised,  to- 
gether with  thirty -eight  of  his  men  who  re- 
mained faithful  to  him. 

The  prisoners  were  marched  into  town  and 
delivered  up  to  Colonel  Prescott,  the  Command- 
ant. Their  rough  appearance  and  rude  equip- 
ments became  the  subject  of  much  adverse  com- 
ment. "  Their  leader,"  says  Irving,  "  albeit  a 
Colonel,  must  have  seemed  worthv  of  the  band ; 
for  AJlen  was  arrayed  in  rough  frontier  style;  a 
deer- skin  jacket,  a  vest  and  breeches  of  coarse 
serge,  worsted  stockings,  stout  shoes,  and  a  red 
woolen  cap."  We  give  Allen's  own  account  of 
the  reception  he  met  with  ; 

"  He  [the  Comnjiandant]  asked  me  my  name, 
which  I  told  him.  He  then  asked  mo  whether  I 
was  that  Colon<  1  Allen  that  toolc  Ticonderoga.  I 
told  Lim  I  was  the  very  man.     Then  he  shook  Lis 


It-; 


82 


Tirr.    GREKN    MOUNT  MN    BOYH 


cane  over  my  head,  calling  me  maiiy  hard  names, 
among  which  he  I'rcqueiitly  used  the  word  rebel, 
and  put  liimsoir  in  a  gieat  rage." 

Notwilhslanding  Major  Campbell V^  proitiiso 
of  hon(n'aMe  treatment  of  his  prisonevp,  Allen 
WRH  put  on  boai  d  the  Gaspe  f-chooner  of  war,  and 
heavily  ironed — Prescott  giving  liim  the  parting 
assurance  that  he  would  yet  gi'ace  a  halter  at  Ty- 
burn. From  his  place  of  confinement  he  wrote 
the  Rubjoiiicd  h  tt(T  to  the  General : 

HoNORAiJLr:  Siii  : — In  the  wheel  of  transitory 
events  I  find  myself  a  prisoiu^]',  and  in  irons. 
Piobal.'ly  your  honor  has  certain  reasons  to  nio 
inconceivable,  though  I  challenge  an  instance  of 
this  sort  of  economy  of  the  Americans  during  the 
Lite  war  to  any  ofTicers  of  the  Crown.  On  my 
1  ai t,  I  have  to  assuj-e  jour  honor,  ihat  when  I 
had  the  coninumd  and  took  Captain  Delaplace 
and  Lieutenant  Fultcm,  \^itlA  the  gairison  of  Ti- 
conderoga,  I  treated  them  with  every  mark  of 
friendship  and  generosity,  the  evidence  of  which 


' 


TITT-:   OnEEN    MOUNTAIN    }10Y3 


83 


is  notorions,  even  in  Canada.     I  havo  only  to  add, 

that  I  ex])Oct  an   honorable   and   hunvano   trcat- 

mont,  aB  an  ofUcnr  of  my  rank  and  merit  should 

boar,  and  snb'^cribo    myself,   your   lionor's    most 

obedient  servant, 

Ethan  Allen." 


The  following-  is  a^^j^^.ndcd  by  the  Britir.h  an- 
noil* tor  :  "N.  B. — The  author  of  tiie  above  letter 
is  an  on  Haw,  and  a  reward  is  offered  by  the  New 
York  xlsscmbly  for  appreliending  him." 

After  the  prisoners  had  been  eondnefed  into 
Montreal,  Cxeneral  Preseott  gave  orders  to  a  ser- 
|:r''a=d  and  fde  of  men,  to  put  to  death  some  Can- 
adian'.^  who  had  be^-.n  taken  in  anos  v,it,]i  Colonel 
Allen.  They  forthwith  went,  witli  bayonets 
fixed,  to  execute  their  commision.  Allen,  uiidor- 
standing  then  purpose,  stepped  between  them 
and  the  Cae.adians,  and  told  trie  gua^d  to  thrust 
liim  with  their  bayonets  if  they  must  shed  hu- 
man blood,  but  to  spare  the  Canadians  who  do- 


mi 
Hi. 


ill 


f'W 


1' 


84 


TIIF,    GRKEN    MOUNTAIN    BOYS 


servpd  no  cenanro,  as  wluit  they  bad  done  wjis  in 
obedience  to  bia  ordoia.  The  guards  liosihited, 
and  Prescott  beiiig  consulted,  that  ofiicer  revoked 
the  order.* 

Puring  Allen's  imprisonment  be  was  confined 
on  hoard  a  man-of-war,  commnndr'd  by  T^nntnin 
J.ittlejohn,  who  exorcised  much  clemency  tovvards 
bis  prisoner,  and  removed  bis  irons  except  when 
military  officers  came  on  board.  A  dispute  arose 
between  the  Captain  and  an  officer,  resulting  in 
arrangments  for  a  duel.  The  ('a}>tfiin  rerjr.nstcd 
Allen  to  serve  as  his  friend.  The  latter  re]>lird 
*'if  it  was  consistent  with  his  situation  be  w^ould 
do  himself  the  honor."  The  Captain  answered 
that  '\he  could  chanoe  his  dress,  and  ^o  on  shore 
in  disguise,  and  no  ({uestions  would  be  asked." 
The  parties  went  ashore,  but  by  the  interposition 
of  friends  the  dispute  was  settleti. 

At  a  lat-'^r  period,  Colonel  Alien  was  put  on 
board  a  ship  nnder  comnjand  of  C/aptain  i-jmith. 


il 


*Ira  .Ulen.s  History  c.f  Vermo  it. 


THE    (UiKEN    MOUNTAIN    lOYS 


85 


Ho  was  lif-avily  iruiicJ,  uml  coutlucd  iii  the  niotst 
droiuy  part  of  the  vossol.  \Vlitn  fairly  out  to  sea, 
Ca[)tiiiij  Sniitli  orueicd  AIIlu's  irons  taken  oiT, 
and  requested  him  to  oat  at  his  own  table  while 
he  remained  on  bhii; board.  The  Colonel  camo 
from  his  dark  abode  and  thanked  the  Captain  for 
his  generous  conduct,  remarking  "  ho  did  not 
know  it  would  ever  bo  in  his  power  to  return  tho 
compiijuent."  That  cilicer  replied — "j^a'ntlemeu 
did  not  know  whvUi  they  mi^ht  render  essential 
services  to  one  another." 

On  board  was  i  ^reat  number  of  prisoners, 
who  laid  a  plan  to  kill  Captain  Smith,  and  run  olf 
With  the  ship.  When  the  project  was  ripe  for  ex- 
ecution, Allen  was  led  into  the  secret.  He  firmiy 
told  them  if  tliey  murdered  Captain  Smith  they 
must  also  muidcr  him,  at  which  they  were  greatly 
alarmed.  He  quieted  their  fears  by  Baying,  "  drop 
your  pians,  and  I  will  bo  as  faiUifui  to  you  as  1 
have  been  to  Captain  Smith."  Here  the  matter 
ended,  and  the  Captain  never  knew  of  his  danger, 
uor  of  tho  service  of  his  I'lateful  friend. 


«|! 


!1 
1^ 


Si] 


THE    OHEEN    :«()TTXTATN    liOYS 


IiiforniatiuTi  Ijud  bcoii  received  by  (3(;n.  Wash- 
ington of  tlio  iiJcligiiituH  hcai)t;(l  \..[^on  Colonel 
Allen,  'iipturiiJ  by  rreycoll  when  Oi.'UUi'iUiU.r.iit 
at  JMoiitreiil,  imd  who  wiiti  now,  iiiniHelf,  a  pi  iSun- 
er  in  the  hands  of  the  Auieiicaus.  \Vut-:hii'j;toii 
wrote  to  (leneral  Howe  to  :Iio  i'oiiowmg  iiupurt ; 

**  ^Sui:  —  We  have  jnut  been  iLioiiued  ol  a  eir- 
cuniistaiice,  wLieh,  weie  it  not  kg  v^ell  aullieniic- 
ated,  I  should  scarcely  think  credible,  it  is  Lliat 
Colonel  AJien,  who,  with  hi-a  bnial  party,  was  de- 
feated and  made  prifcuner  near  Jiiuntieai,  iiuxi  been 
trcatedMvithoLtt  legard  to  decency,  ijLnhanity,  or 
the  ruieb  ul  war ;  that  he  ha^  teen  ihiovvn  into 
iruiiH,  and  huirerb  all  the  liardbLipb  inliicted  upon 
common  felonsi. 

"  1  think  it  is  my  duty,  sir,  to  demand,  and  do 
expect  from  you,  an  eclaircissement  on  thi:>  snb- 
jet'-t.  At  the  uauio  time,  I  flatter  myself,  from  the 
chai'aotor  which  Mr.  Howe  bearis  ah;  a  njan  of  hon- 
or, gentleman  and  soldur,  that  my  demand  will 
me{;t  with  Ids  approbation.  I  must  lake  the  lib- 
erty, also,  of  informing  you  that  I  bhall  consider 


m 

fSiU 


THE  GREEN  MOUNT/^IN  BOYS 


87 


your  silence  as  a  coniinnHtion  of  the  report,  {iiul 
fiutlier  uHsuriiig  }oii,  tl)ut  wliattvtr  tiejitiiiciit 
Colonel  Alltn  receives,  Nvliattver  fate  he  uiKler- 
goeH,  HiK'h  exactly  bhall  be  the  fate  of  JJii^adier 
Prescott,  now  in  oui  hai.dfcj.  The  law  of  letuha- 
tion  IB  not  only  justitiabie  m  the  eyes  of  God  and 
man  but  absolutely  a  duty." 

Washiijgton  observed  in  a  letter  to  Congress: 
**My  reason  for  pointing  out  Prescott  as  the  ob- 
ject who  is  to  suffer  for  Alien's  fate,  is  that  I  am 
given  to  understand  that  Pj  escott  is  the  cause  of 
Allen's  sufferings.  I  thought  best  to  be  decisive 
on  the  occasion,  as  did  the  geneials  whom  1  con- 
Bulted  thereon." 

Shortly  afterwards,  Washington  received  a 
letter  from  Levi  Alien,  a  brother  to  the  Colonel, 
and  of  like  enterprising  and  enthusiastic  charac- 
ter. It  was  dated  from  Salisbury,  Connecticut, 
and  enclosed  affidavits  of  the  harsh  treatment  his 
brother  had  experienced,  aud  of  his  being  confined 
on  board  of  the  Gaspe,  "with  a  bar  of  iron  fixed 

md  iron  to  his  hands."     Levi 


to 


legi 


.0^.  \*t'  ^^9. 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


m 


A 


4is 


//       ^    '^"^^.% 


•feT  #,  ^     -& 


*t  \° 


/- 


f/^ 


1.0    !f  ia  iiiiiM 


I.I 


25 


'^  iM    12.2 


1 


1^     '""^ 
1^    12.0 


1.8 


\A.  11 1.6 


V] 


<^ 


//y. 


^. 


/^ 


/ 


°>}' 


'/ 


/A 


W 


W 


Photograpliic 

Sciences 

Corporation 


23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  NY.  14580 

(716)  872-4503 


V 


m. 


'^ 


,\ 


\ 


:\ 


r^> 


^ 


ri> 


^^'%s 


<^ 


1 


88 


71  I    GREEN   MOUNTAIN   BOYS 


proposed  to  go  to  England,  where  be  'uipposed 
bis  brother  was,  raise  a  mob  and  set  him  fiee, 
bribe  the  jailor,  or  in  some  way  deliver  him  I'roiu 
confinement.  Washington  kindly  advised  against 
Levi's  wild  project.  The  measure  of  retaliation 
was  actually  meted  out  to  Prescott,  of  which 
Washington  spoke  in  his  k iter  to  Howe. 

The  efforts  of  Washington  and  Congress  to 
effect  the  exchange  of  Ethan  Allen,  "the  brave, 
but  eccentric  captor  of  Ticonderoga,"  were  merito 
rious.  The  daring  exploits  of  that  chieftain  had 
cost  him  a  world  of  trouble.  "Thrown  into  pris- 
on as  a  felon;  threatened  with  a  halter;  cariied 
to  England  to  be  tiled  for  treason ;  confined  in 
Pendennis  Castle  ;  retran sported  to  Halifax  ;  and 
now  a  prisoner  in  New  Yoik."  He  writes:  "I 
have  suffered  everything  short  of  death.  I  am 
fired  with  adequate  indignation  to  revenge  both 
my  own  and  my  country's  wrongs.  I  am  experi- 
mentally certain  I  have  fortitude  su:lScient  to  face 
the  invaders  of  America  in  the  place  of  danger, 
spread  with  all  the  horrors  of  war.     Provided  you 


f)-r' 


THE  GREEN  MOUNT  A.IN  BOYS 


89 


can  hit  upon  some  measure  to  procure  my  liber- 
ty, I  will  appropriate  my  reniaining  days,  and 
freely  hazard  my  life  in  the  service  of  the  colony, 
and  maintaining  the  American  Empire.  I  thought 
to  have  enrolled  my  name  in  the  list  of  American 
heroes,  but  was  nipped  in  the  bud." 

Allen  was  finally  exchanged  for  Colonel  Camp- 
bell, after  three  yeai's  of  captivity.  Washington, 
in  a  letter  recommending  that  something  be  done 
for  him,  observes:  "His  gratitude  and  firmness 
seemed  to  have  placed  him  out  of  the  reach  of 
misfortune.  There  is  an  original  something 
about  him  that  commands  admiration,  and  his 
long  captivity  and  siiffeiings  have  only  served  to 
increase,  if  possible,  his  enthusiastic  zeal.  He 
appears  very  desirous  of  rendering  his  services  to 
the  States,  and  of  being  employed  ;  and  at  the 
same  time  he  does  not  discover  any  ambition  for 
high  rank."  On  the  strength  of  this  recommenda- 
tion, Congress  voted  Allen  a  brevet  commission 
of  Colonel. 

Montgomery,  duiing  his  campaign  in  Canada, 


ii 


4 

m 


90 


THE   GREEN    MOUNTAIN   BOYS 


retained  Colonel  Warner  and  his  regiment  of 
Green  Mountain  Boys,  who  contributed  their  ser- 
vices \o  the  downfall  of  the  strongholds  of  Cham- 
blee,  St.  Johns,  and  Montreal ;  having  served  out 
the  time  for  which  they  had  enlisted,  they  were 
dismissed  and  returned  home. 

In  1776,  soon  after  the  death  of  Montgomery 
at  the  storminf^  of  Quebec,  the  Hampshire  Grants 
raised  a  second  regiment  under  Colonel  Warner, 
wliich  marched  to  Quebec,  and  gave  essential  re- 
lief to  the  besieging  army  of  that  place.  At  the 
bep^inning  of  May  the  siege  was  raised  in  conse- 
quence of  the  bad  state  of  hfalth  of  the  troops, 
and  the  ariival  of  reinforcements  from  England. 
General  Sullivan  conducted  the  retreat  in  a  mas- 
terly manner;  the  army  arrived  at  Crown  Point 
in  due  time,  in  a  deplorable  state. 


r* 


L 


CHAPTER  IX. 


ESTA.BLISHMENT    OF   A   CIVIL   GOVERNMENT. 

This  disastrous  retreat  exposed  the  frontiers 
of  the  Grants  to  an  invasive  war;  most  of  the  in- 
habitants of  Onion  River  and  along  the  shore  of 
Lake  Champlain  instantly  removed,  and  the  mili- 
tia was  organized  for  the  general  defense.     Inter- 
nal dissensions  were  rife  regarding  the  establish- 
ment of  a  civil  .government.     Some  were  for  join- 
ing with  New  Hampshire;  others  were  in  favor 
of  forming  a  new  state;  and  a  few  proposed  unit- 
ing with  New  York  during  the  war;  but  this  last 
too  much  effected  the  title  to  lands  to  be  serious- 
ly considered. 

Vermont  was  likely  to  be  devastated  as  a  com- 
mon battle  ground ;  yet  the  people  mel  in  Con- 
vention at  Dorset,  January,  1776,  and  drew  up  a 


nw 


ii    ! 

! 

i 

VMM      > 

1 

1 

'■■-- 

92 


TIIK    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    BOyS 


potition  to  Congress,  in  which  they  declared  their 
read  hi  ess  to  furnish  their  quota  of  men  in  sup- 
port of  the  war,  and  bearing  an  equal  proportion 
of  the  expense,  and  asked  that  their  rights  mifjht 
be   secured  theni.     ConciTess  recommended   that 

o 

they  submit  to  the  authority  of  New  York  for  the 
present,  and  assist  their  countrymen  in  the  con- 
test witli  Great  Britain. 

Colonel  Allen  being  in  captivity,  Baker  dead, 
AVarner,  Cockran,  and  others,  engaged  i:i  the  ar- 
my, the  Council  of  the  New  Hampshire  Grants 
was  greatly  weakened,  and  moiiths  passed  with- 
out any  decisive  results.  Tlie  government  of  the 
province  was  conducted  by  committees  and  con- 
ventions as  bcfoie  the  war,  though  the  bitterness 
of  the  dispute  with  Nevv  York  seemed  to  be  lost 
ill  the  common  cause  of  the  struggling  colonies ; 
for  those  who  had  been  outlawed  for  high  treason 
against  the  government  of  New  Y^'ork,  now  passed 
freely  through  that  province. 

The  following  were  some  of  the  reasons  for 
formin.Q'  a  new  State: 


THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    BOYS 


93 


A  new  governiDent  woakl  pej'potnatG  the 
name  of  the  Green  Mountain  lioys,  and  the  honor 
of  then*  leaders. 

A  new  government  woukl  establish  the  title 
to  their  lands  under  the  New  Hampshire  Grants, 
and  provide  that  unappropriated  lands  might  bo 
disposed  of  to  defray  the  expenses  of  the  war. 

The  active  part  taken  by  her  citizens  in  the 
taking  of  Ticonderoga  and  Crown  Point,  would 
entitle  the  State  to  a  favorable  consideration  by 
Congress. 

That  upon  the  revolutionary  principles  adopt- 
ed by  Congress,  Vermont  was  the  oldest  State  in 
America. 

A  call  was  issued  for  a  convention,  which, 
after  several  adjournments,  on  the  15th  of  Jan- 
iiSLvyy  1111  y  declared  the  district  of  New  ilarnp- 
shire  Grants  to  be  a  free  and  independent  State. 
A  declaration  and  a  petition  to  Congress  were 
drawn  up,  and  a  committee  appointed  to  pre- 
sent the  same. 

New   York,    alarmed   at   the   possible   conse- 


94 


THE   GREEN    MOUNTAIN    BOYS 


t  ! 


ill 


i'B 


queiKCS  of  the  measure,  wrote  to  Congress, 
tlirougii  the  President  of  the  Conimittee  of  JSsife- 
ty.  as  follows : 

"1  am  duected  to  inform  Congress  that  by 
the  arts  and  influence  of  certain  designing  men, 
a  part  of  this  state  has  been  prevailed  on  to  re- 
volt. Information  we  have  received  would  lead 
us  to  believe  some  persons  in  our  sister  States 
have  fostered  and  lomented  these  divisions.  Jiut 
as  those  informations  tend  to  accuse  sume  of  your 
honorable  body  being  concerned  in  this  scheme, 
decency  obliges  us  to  suspend  our  beiief.  The 
Convention  are  sorry  to  observe  that  by  confer- 
ring a  commissioQ  upon  Colonel  Warner,  with 
authority  to  name  the  officers  of  a  regiment  to  be 
raised  independently  of  the  Legislature  of  this 
State,  and  within  that  part  of  it  which  hath  lately 
declared  itself  independent,  Congress  hath  given 
too  much  weight  to  the  insinuations  of  those  who 
pretend  that  your  honoiable  body  are  determined 
to  support  those  insurgents;  especially  as  this 
Colonel  Wainer  hath  been  constantly  and  iuvaria- 


THE  GREEN  MOUNTAIN  B0Y3 


96 


bly  opposed  to  the  legisJature  of  tbis  State,  and 
hath  been  on  that  very  account  proclaimed  an 
outlaw  by  the  late  government  thereof.  It  is  ab- 
solutely necessary  to  recall  the  commissions  given 
to  Colonel  Warner,  and  the  olHcars  under  hiuj,  as 
nothing  else  vnll  do  justice  to  us^  Con<>Tes3 
voted  to  dismiss  the  petition  of  Vermont. 

Notwithstanding  this  rebuff,  the  people  re- 
solved to  draft  a  constitution  for  the  new  State.  A 
committee  was  also  appointed  to  visit  the  officer 
in  command  at  Ticonderoga,  and  consult  with 
him  respecting  the  defense  of  the  frontiers. 

"While  the  committee  was  at  that  post,  I3ur- 
goyne  appeared  in  force  on  Lake  Champlain,  and 
resting  at  Crown  Point  sent  a  d'  tachment  of 
three  hundred,  mostly  Indians,  to  land  at  the 
mouth  of  Otter  Creek,  and  ravage  the  frontier 
settlements.  The  commanding  officer  at  Ticon- 
deroga refused  to  send  off  any  of  his  troops  in 
aid  of  the  panic-stricken  families,  but  allowed  Col. 
Warner  to  go  with  the  committee  to  raise  a  vol- 
unteer force    from    the   Green    Mountain    Boys. 


I 


96 


THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    BOYS 


1-i 


A  basty  lovy  was  raised,  with  which  the  raiders 
were  promptly  repelled. 

All  who  were  members  of  the  Couvention  left 
the  militia  and  repaired  to  Windsor,  July  4th. 
A  draft  of  the  constitution  was  laid  before  the 
convention  and  read.  The  matter  under  consid- 
eration was  new,  of  gi'eat  moment,  and  required 
serious  deliberation ;  it  was  debated  step  by  step, 
and  paragraph  by  paragraph.  While  absoibed 
in  their  duty,  an  express  arrived  with  tidings  that 
Ticonderoga  had  been  evacuated,  and  that  the 
whole  frontier  of  the  Hampshire  Grants  was  ex- 
posed to  the  ravages  of  the  enemy. 

At  this  awful  crisis  the  Convention  was  for 
adjourning,  as  many  of  the  members  had  families 
residing  in  the  portions  likely  to  be  overrun  by 
the  enemy  and  their  Indian  allies.  Indications 
of  a  terrible  thunder  storm  among  the  mountains 
having  put  all  thoughts  of  immediately  going 
home  out  of  the  question,  some  of  the  more 
thoughtful  called  attention  to  their  unfinished 
work.     In  the  midst  of  the  peals  of  thunder,  the 


THE  GREEN  MOUNT  \IN  BOYS 


07 


incessant  flashes  of  lightning  and  the  tumult  of 
the  elements  without,  the  constitution  was  read, 
paragraph  by  paragraph,  for  the  last  time;  and 
as  the  sun  broke  forth  upon  a  smiling  landscape, 
invigorated  with  the  summer  shower,  Vermont  was 
in  possession  of  a  constitution,  and  stood  pledged 
to  its  support.  A  Council  of  Safety  was  instituted 
to  act  during  the  recess,  the  Convention  ad- 
journed, and  the  members  betook  themselves  to 
their  homes. 

Three  days  afterward,  this  "  outlaw  "  Warner 
and  his  proscribed  Green  Mountain  regiment  were 
engaged  in  deadly  conflict,  on  the  soil  of  Vermont, 
with  the  British  and  Indian  foes  of  America,  on 
the  memorable  battle  field  of  Hubbardton,  in 
which  Warner's  force  was  decimated  to  about 
ninety  men. 


¥ 


CHAl^TER  X. 


Battle  op  bennington. 


The  British  were  of  opinion  that  the  people 
of  the  Grants  were  opposed  to  the  Revolution, 
and  would  join  the  standard  of  England  the  mo- 
ment a  force  was  marched  into  the  territory. 
This  belief  was  founded  on  the  dissensions  with 
Now  York,  the  unsatisfactory  resolutions  of  Con- 
gress, and  the  charges  of  outlawry  brought 
against  the  people  of  the  Grants  by  their  neigh- 
bors. 

Bennington  was  a  central  place,  whither  the 
live  stock  had  been  collected,  and  whence  the 
American  army  derived  its  supplies.  It  was  like- 
wise a  depot  of  wheeled  vehicles  and  grain  de- 
posits, and  was  guarded  by  relieving  bodies  of 
miUtia.     Bennington   was  to  be  surprised.     The 


THE    ORKEN    MOUNTAIN    BOYH 


09 


covin  try  was  to  be  scoured  from  Rockingham  to 
Otter  Crook.  All  public  mag^azines  were  to  be 
sacked.  All  cattle  belonginfif  to  royalists,  and 
W'liicb  could  be  spared  by  their  owners,  were  to 
be  pai  ~.  for ;  and  all  the  rebel  herds  and  flocks 
were  to  be  driven  away 

Colonel  Skene,  the  iioted  royalist  after  whom 
Skenesborough  (now  Whitehall)  was  named,  held 
a  position  in  the  expedinon:  indeed,  it  was  owing 
largely  to  h'S  represv^n  ations  that  it  was  under- 
taken. Lieut.-Col.  Baum  was  sent  in  charge  of  the 
detachment.  He  had  in  his  command  two  hun- 
dred dismounted  dragoons  of  the  regiment  of 
Biedesel,  Captain  Frazer's  British  marksmen, 
some  Canadian  Tories,  and  Indians,  in  all  amount- 
ing to  about  five  hundred  men,  with  tv/o  pieces  of 
cannon.  It  was  expected  the  dragoons  would 
supply  themselves  with  horses  in  the  course  of 
the  foray,  and  a  skeleton  corps  of  royalists  would 
be  filled  up  with  recruits. 

Burgoyne  encamped  on  the  east  side  of  the 
Hudson,  so  as  to  be  near  at  hand  in  case  assist- 


ir>„ 


M^' 


I'.ii 


§\ 
m 


III 


100 


THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    BOVa 


ance  wan  wanted.  Baum  set  out  from  camp  at 
break  of  day  on  the  13th  of  August,  1777.  The 
Btiitc  of  the  roads,  the  excessive  heat,  and  want  of 
horses  and  wagons,  all  contributed  to  render  the 
progress  slow  and  tedious.  A  few  horses  were 
brought  in,  and  some  wagons  captured  ;  but  the 
inhabitants  managed  to  remove  most  of  their  ef- 
fects in  time.  The  Indians  killed  or  drove  off  all 
that  came  into  their  hands,  unless  they  were  paid 
in  cash  for  their  prizes. 

Baum  found  the  people  of  Bennington  ready 
to  give  him  a  reception.  The  veteran  Stark  was 
there,  with  eight  hundred  New  Hampshire  mili- 
tia ;  and  (>oionel  Warner  found  himself  at  the 
head  of  about  six  hundred  Green  Mountain  Boys, 
hastily  collected  to  repel  the  invaders.  Thus 
once  more  the  cause  of  American  Independence 
was  to'  rest  largely  on  the  valor  and  patriotism 
of  the  outlawed  Warner  and  his  band  of  brave 
followers. 

Stark  had,  with  difficulty,  been  prevailed  on 
to  take  the  command.    He  had  a  farm  amoug  the 


THE  GREEN  MOUNTAIN  BOYS 


101 


Vermont  MountairiK,  and  bis  sympatliics  were  in 
harmony  with  her  people  ;  he,  too,  was  smarting 
under  a  sense  of  the  ii. justice  of  Congress.  Ho 
only  took  up  arms,  he  said,  in  a  moment  of  exi- 
gency, to  defend  the  neighborhood  which  other- 
wise would  be  exposed  to  the  ravages  of  the 
enemy. 

On  the  15th,  Stark  sent  forward  a  detachment 
under  Colonel  Gregg,  and  on  the  following  day 
advanced  with  his  own  men  to  support  them. 
He  met  them  about  five  miles  cii,  in  full  retreat, 
with  Eaum  and  his  foice  a  mile  or  more  in  the 
rear. 

Stark  now  halted,  and  deployed  his  men  for 
action.  Baum  drew  up  his  troops  and  formed 
them  hi  a  strong  position  on  high  ground  at  a 
bend  of  a  little  liver,  and  began  to  intrench. 
Stark  fell  back  to  await  reinforcements,  and  to 
entice  Baum  from  his  intrenchments.  A  skirmish 
took  place  in  which  thirty  of  Baum's  men  and 
two  Indian  Chiefs  were  killed. 

The  incessant   rain   of  the  15th  prevented  a 


w    ''  iii'i 


I'll 
If..  J 

If 


'■n 


i   !; 


'II! 


102 


THE    GREEN   MOUNTAIN    BOYS 


general  engagement,  but  there  was  continual 
Bkirmisbing.  Bauiu  employed  the  interim  in 
strengthening  his  position  ;  and  finding  the  op- 
posite force  much  larger  than  he  anticipated,  he 
had  sent  off  in  all  haste  to  Burgoyne  for  reinforce- 
ments. The  latter  immediately  detached  Col. 
Breyman  with  five  hundred  Hessian  Grenadiers 
and  infantry,  and  two  six  pounders,  leaving  behind 
him  his  tents,  baggage  and  standards.  So  bad 
were  the  roads,  that  Breyman  was  nearly  two 
days  getting  little  more  than  twenty  miles. 

Mean  while  expresses  had  been  sent  in  every 
direction  by  the  Americans,  and  recruits  were 
pouring  in  from  all  parts  of  the  country  : —  among 
them,  Colonel  Symonds  with  a  body  of  Berkshire 
militia. 

On  the  morning  of  the  16th,  the  sun  was 
shining  brightly,  and  Stark  prepared  to  attack 
Baum  in  his  intrenchments,  although,  for  the 
most  part,  his  men  had  only  ordinary  firelocks 
without  bayonets.  He  separated  his  force  into 
two  divisions :  one  was  detached  to  the  enemy's 


THE  GREEN  MOUNTAIN  BOYS 


103 


left  under  Colonel  Nichols ;  a  second,  under  C j1. 
Herrick,  was  sent  to  the  rear  of  his  right ;  these 
two  were  to  join  and  attack  the  British  in  the 
rear,  while  the  third  was  to  make  a  demonstra- 
tion in  front. 

Col.  Skene  and  other  royalists,  when  they  saw 
the  Americans  issuing  from  the  woods  on  differ- 
ent sides,  endeavored  to  persuade  Baum  that 
these  were  some  of  the  Tories  flocking  to  his 
standard.  The  Indians  were  the  lirst  to  discov- 
er the  error.  ''The  woods  are  full  of  Yankees," 
they  shouted ;  and  retreated,  yelling  like  demons, 
between  the  troops  of  Nichols  and  Heriick. 
Several  of  them  were  killed  as  they  ran  the  gaunt- 
let. 

At  the  first  sound  of  firearms,  Stark,  who  had 
remained  behind  in  camp,  mounted  his  horse  and 
gave  the  word  forward!  The  homely  speech 
made  by  him  when  in  sight  of  the  enemy  is  famil- 
iar to  every  school  boy.  "  Now,  my  men  !  there 
are  the  red-coats !  Before  night  they  are  ours,  or 
Molly  Stark  will  be  a  widow  !  " 


104 


THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    BOYS 


I  \m 


wi  ^ 


r 


Baum  found  himself  assaulted  on  every  side, 
but  he  fought  with  a  dogged  stubbornness  and 
determination.  He  planted  his  cannon  advanta- 
geously, and  his  fire  was.  effective.  Stark,  who 
was  in  the  battle  of  Bunker  Hill,  and  in  engage- 
ments in  the  French  war,  says  it  was  the  hottest 
fight  he  ever  saw.  He  inspired  his  men  with  his 
own  impetuosity.  They  drove  the  royalists  upon 
the  Hessians,  and  pressing  after  them,  mounted 
the  works  with  incredible  fury.  A  Hessian  eye- 
witness declared  the  rebels  fought  with  despera- 
tion, advancing  to  within  eight  paces  of  the  loaded 
cannon  to  take  surer  aim  at  the  artillerists.  The 
latter  were  slain  and  the  cannon  captured.  The 
royalists  and  Canadians  took  to  flight  and  es- 
caped to  the  woods.  The  Hessians  maintained 
their  ground  until  the  last  cartridge  was  expend- 
ed ;  then  taking  their  broadswords,  Baum  and  his 
men  attempted  to  cut  their  way  to  a  road  in  the 
woods.  Many  were  killed  in  the  atteinpt,  and 
the  survivors  were  taken  prisoners.  Eaum  was 
among  the  wounded. 


!tl 


'    THE  GREEN  MOUNT  A.IK  BOYS 


10.^ 


The  victors  now  dispersed;  some  to   collect 
the  booty,  or  seek  refreshments,  and   others   to 
care  for  the  wounded  or  look  after  the  prisoners. 
At  this  juncture  Breyman's  tardy  reinforcement 
came  up,  making  its  slow  and  toilsome   way   to 
the  scene  of  action,  with  numbers  augmented  by 
many  of  the  enemy  that  had  fled.     Stark   made 
superhuman  efforts  to  rally  his  men,  but  all  were 
in  hopeless  confusion.     Just  as  the  day  seemed 
lost  to  the  Americans,  the  standard   of   Colonel 
Warner  came  in  sight,  borne  by  his  six  hundred 
Green  Mountain    Boys,   fresh    from  repose,  and 
eager  for  the  fray;   for  were  not   the   safety  of 
their   homes,   and  the   fate   of   their   wives  and 
children,  dependent  on  the  issues  of  their  arms? 
The  shock   and   tumult   of  battle  broke    out 
anew  as  these  newly  arrived  reinforcements  joined 
in  deadly  strife,  and  the  ground  was  to  be  fought 
over  once  more.     It  was  four  in   the    afternoon 
when    this    second    action    commenced.     Stark's 
men  rallied,    and    entered   again    into  the   fight; 
Col.  Breyman's  command  was  driven  before  the 


f 


106 


fllE  GREEN   MOUNTAIN   BOtS 


i 


patriot  forces  from  wood  to  wood,  and  from  hill 
to  hill,  until  sunset.  The  last  stand  of  the  enemy 
was  at  Van  Shaick's  mill,  where,  having  expended 
all  their  ammunition,  the  enemy  retreated  under 
cover  of  night,  leaving  two  field  pieces  and  all 
their  baggage  in  the  hands  of  the  Americans. 

Burgoyne  was  awakened  in  the  night  with  the 
intelligence  that  Baum  had  met  and  surrendered 
to  the  enemy.  Next  came  word  that  Breyman 
was  engaged  in  severe  and  doubtful  conflict. 
Drums  beat  to  arms.  The  whole  camp  was 
roused,  and  Burgoyne  was  preparing  to  march 
his  whole  army  to  Breyman's  assistance,  when 
word  came  in  that  he  was  on  his  way  back  in  safe- 
ty. The  main  army  remained  in  camp  at  the 
Batten  Kiln,  but  Burgoyne  forded  that  stream  and 
pushed  forward  until  he  met  Breyman  and  his 
troops,  haggard  and  fatigued  from  hard  fighting 
and  incessant  marching  in  the  hot  weather.  Four 
brass  field  pieces,  nine  hundred  dragoon  swords, 
one  thousand  stand  of  arms,  and  four  ammuni- 
tion wagons  were  the  fruits  of  the  victory.     Thir- 


l':'S'         'I     t  I 


BCiS 


n 


THE   GREEN    MOUNTAIN   BOYS 


107 


ty-two  officers  and  four  hundred  and  sixty-four 
privates  were  taken  prisoners.  The  Americans 
lost  one  hundred  in  killed  and  wounded.  The 
British  killed  could  not  be  ascertained,  as  many 
had  fallen  in  the  woods.  Stark  remarked,  that 
had  there  been  another  hour  of  daj^light,  the 
whole  British  force  would  have  fallen  into  their 
Lands. 

Tidings  of  the  affair  at  Bennington  reached 
Washington  just  before  he  moved  his  camp  from 
the  neighborhood  of  Philadelphia,  and  it  re- 
lieved his  mind  of  a  load  of  anxiety.  In  a  letter 
to  Putnam  he  wrote :  "As  there  is  not  now  the 
least  danger  of  General  Howe's  going  to  New 
England,  I  hope  the  whole  force  of  the  country 
will  turn  out,  and  by  following  the  great  stroke 
struck  by  General  Stark  near  Bennington,  entire- 
ly crush  Burgoyne,  who  seems  to  be  in  want  of 
almost  everything." 

The  compliment  paid  to  the  troops  of  Ver- 
mont by  General  Burgoyne,  was  to  this  eflect: 
**  The  district  of  the  New  Hampshire  Grants,  a 


s  i 


^ 


is 


108 


THE    OREEN    MOUNTAIN    B0y3 


■  m 


wilderness  little  known  in  the  last  war,  now 
abounds  with  the  most  active,  rebellious  and  har- 
dy race  of  men  on  the  continent,  who  hang  like  a 
gathering-  storm,  ready  to  burst  on  my  left." 
This  was  written  shortly  previous  to  his  capitu- 
lation. This  brilliant  double  victory  at  Ben- 
nington, by  relieving  New  England  from  appre^ 
hensions,  and  enabling  the  patriots  to  concen- 
trate their  forces  against  Buigoyne,  resulted  in 
forcing  that  General  to  surrender,  on  the  plains 
of  Saratoga,  as  noble  an  army  as  was  ever  sent 
to  subdue  a  country.  The  news  spread  through 
America  and  Europe,  sealed  the  alliance  between 
France  and  the  United  States,  and  so  secured 
their  independence. 

In  the  next  chapter  we  will  relate  how  this 
timely  service  of  the  Green  Mountain  Boys  was 
requited  by  Congress.  It  is  not  vv^ithin  the  range 
of  human  wisdom  to  say  what  would  have  been 
the  effect  on  the  American  cause,  had  the  de- 
mand of  New  York  been  complied  with,  and 
Stark  and  Warner  been  stripped  of  their  commis- 


& 


THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    BOYS 


109 


sioiis  before  ibe  battle  of  BeniiiiJ<^t(:n.  The  ene- 
my would  Lave  been  left  to  devastate  the  country 
at  then-  pleasure,  and  by  diverting  the  patriot 
stores  in  and  around  Eennington  to  the  use  of 
Burgoyne's  army,  thereby  rendered  his  position 
well-nigh  impregnable. 


i 


n^mm 


115:* 


CHAPTER  XL 


PRIVATE    NEGOTIATIONS   WITH    THE     BKITISII. 

Brilliaut  and  signal  as  had  been  the  feats  of 
these  Vermonters  with  the  sword,  not  lews  so 
were  their  acts  of  dii^ouiacy.  One  can  but  be 
impressed  with  the  spectacle  of  a  handful  of  men 
accomplishing  by  policy  what  they  could  never 
have  done  by  power — for  years  keeping  at  bay  an 
army  of  British  troops  10,000  strong,  hovering 
over  and  in  readiness  to  swoop  down  and  devas- 
tate their  exposed  and  unprotected  frontier,  at 
the  same  time  the  people  were  permitted  to  go 
on  unconcernedly  about  their  harvest. 

The  claims  to  independence  on  the  part  of 
Vermont  were  still  unacknowledged  by  Congress, 
and  New  York  was  still  importunate  and  vexa- 
tious.    The  British  generals  in  America  endeav- 


til  ^ 


THE  GHEEN  MOUNTAIN  130YS 


111 


ored  to  turn  these  circumstances  to  their  own  ac- 
count, by  detachii'g  Vermont  I'ronj  the  cause  of 
the  C<jlonies,  and  making  it  a  British  province. 
The  first  hitimation  that  the  people  of  Vermont 
had  of  this  circumstance  was  conveyed  in  a  k;tter 
from  Cok)nel  Beverly  Robinson,  dated  New  York, 
Mar.  30U),  1780,  and  dehvered  to  Colonel  Ethan 
Allen  in  the  street  at  Arhngton  in  July.  Alien 
communicated  the  contents  of  the  letter  to  Gov- 
ernor Chittenden  and  some  others,  but  returned 
no  answer. 

Meantime,  the  village  of  Eoyalton  had  been 
sacked  and  burned  by  a  party  of  three  hundred 
Indians  under  a  British  officer,  four  of  the  inhab- 
itants killed,  and  twenty-five  taken  prisoners.  It 
was  arranged  that  the  Governor  should  address  a 
communication  to  General  Haldimand,  then  com- 
manding in  Canada,  proposing  a  cartel  for  the 
exchange  of  prisoners, — the  letter  to  be  sent  un- 
der a  flag  to  the  enemy's  lines.  In  October,  the 
British  appeared  in  great  force  on  the  lake ;  such 
was  the  alarm  that  the  Legislature,  then  in  ses- 


■i 


112 


THE    GREEN   MOUNTAIN    BOYS 


ill 


U    I 


[■■;;■■ 


Bion  at  Bennington,  adjourned,  many  of  tho  mera- 
bci's  taking  arms  and  hastening  to  the  frontiers. 

In  a  few  diys  Colonel  Ethan  Allen  received  a 
flag  from  Carleton,  with  an  answer  to  GoveiTior 
Chittenden's  letter  respecting  the  cartel.  With  it 
was  enclosed  a  proposition  for  a  truce  with  "Ver- 
mont. Allen  agreed  to  the  proposal  on  condition 
that  the  frontiers  of  Vermont  should  include  the 
territory  to  the  Hudson  River.  This  truce,  how- 
ever, was  not  publicly  known ;  the  militia  were  im- 
mediately disbanded  and  allowed  to  return  home. 
The  militia  of  New  York  were  also  on  their  fron- 
tiers; not  being  in  the  secret,  they  were  surprised 
to  see  the  Vermont  troops  returning  home,  and 
still  more  to  learn  that  the  British  were  retiring 
to  Canada. 

In  February,  1781,  Colonel  Robinson  wrote 
again  to  Ethan  Allen,  enclosing  a  copy  of  the  for- 
mer letter.  lie  was  induced  to  make  another 
trial,  he  said,  "  especially  as  I  can  now  write  with 
more  authority,  and  assure  you,  that  you  may  ob- 
tain the  terms  mentioned  in  the  above  letter,  pro- 


"  ri':;i 


^ 


THE  rtUElEK  M0ltNT\lN  BOYfl 


lUi 


vided  you  and  the  people  of  Vermont  take  a  deci* 
Bive  and  active  part  with  us." 
''  Allen  returned  no  answer  to  either  of  these 
letters,  but  enclosed  them  both  in  a  commiinica-' 
tion  to  Congress.  In  that  letter  he  says:  "  I  am 
confident  that  Congress  will  not  dispute  my  sin- 
cere attachment  to  my  country,  though  I  do  not 
hesitate  to  say  I  am  fully  grounded  in  opinion 
that  Vermont  has  an  indubitable  right  to  agree 
on  terms  of  a  cessation  of  hostilities  with  Great 
Britain,  provided  the  United  States  persist  in  re* 
jecting  her  application  for  a  union  with  themj 
for  Vermont,  of  all  people,  would  be  most  niiser- 
able,  were  she  obliged  to  defend  the  independence 
of  the  United  States,  and  they  at  the  same  time 
at  full  liberty  to  overturn  and  ruin  the  independ* 
ence  of  Vermont.  I  am  as  resolutely  determined 
to  defend  the  independence  of  Vermont,  as  Con- 
gress that  of  the  United  States,  and  rather  than 
fail,  will  retire  with  the  hardy  Green  Mountain 
Boys  into  the  desolate  caverns  of  the  mountains, 
and   wage  war  with  the  devil,  hell,  and  human^ 


114 


THE  GREEN   MOtJNTArN   BOYS 


11 


ii.i=:;lii 


! 


nature  at  large."     This   somewhat  forcible    lan- 
guage was  excusable  under  the  circumstances. 

Early  in  that  year,  Vermont,  by  a  vote  of  her 
Legislature,  adopted  the  policy  of  the  States  of 
New  York,  Massachusetts  and  New  Hampshire, 
that  had  been  laying  claim  to  the  territory  of  the 
Grants,  and  put  in  her  claim  of  jurisdiction  over 
a  large  part  of  each  of  those  States.  Thus  Ver- 
mont was  turuiug  the  weapons  of  her  antagonists 
upon  themselves.  Numbers  of  representatives 
from  the  annexed  districts  took  their  seats  in  the 
Vermont  assembly.  At  the  time  of  extending 
her  claims,  she  passed  an  act  of  general  amnes- 
ty ;  this  liberal  and  wise  act  of  lenity  had  the  de- 
sired effect. 

-  The  State  of  Vermont  was  at  this  time  in  a 
forlorn  condition  ;  torn  by  intestine  divisions  and 
the  intrigues  of  her  enemies  in  Congress:  all  the 
cannons,  nay,  every  spade  and  pickaxe  taken  by 
her  valiant  sons  at  Ticonderoga  and  Crown  Point 
were  removed  out  of  the  State  to  Fort  George ; 
Colonel  Wainer's  regiment,  raised  in  and  for  the 


THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN   BOYS 


115 


protection  of  Vermont,  was  put  into  Continental 
service,  and  stationed  to  defend  the  frontiers  of 
New  York,  not  half  so  much  exposed  as  Vermont ; 
at  the  same  time  New  York  had  recalled  her  State 
troops  from  Skenesborough,  while  an  enemy,  by 
coming  up  Lake  Cham  plain,  might  land  within  a 
day's  march  of  hundreds  of  inhabitants  who  were 
remaining  on   their  farms.     Congress  had  inter- 
fered with  the  internal  policy  of  Vermont,  by  cut- 
ting off  her  ways  and  means  of  raising  money  and 
men  for  self  defense  by  the  following :  "  Resolved, 
unanimously,  that  in  the  opinion  of  this  body,  no 
unappropriated  lands  or  estates,  which  are  or  may 
be  adjudged  forfeited,  or  confiscated,  lying  in  said 
district  [Vermont],  ought,    until   the  final   deci- 
sion of  Congress  in  the  premises,  be  granted  or 
sold."     We  transcribe,  on  this  topic,  the  words 
of  Ira  Allen : 

"  Thus  left,  as  she  had  reason  to  suppose,  by 
the  intrigues  of  those  who  claimed  and  coveted  her 
fertile  soil,  to  be  a  prey  to  the  common  enemy, 
similar  to  the  fate  of  their  brethren,  descendants 


116 


THE    GREEN   MOUNTAIN    BOYS 


Hi 


k  ' 

i! 

I'r 

1 

m 

'» ^_ 

from  Connecticut,  who  settled  at  Wyoming  and 
Susquehanna,  and  were  mostly  killed  by  a  party 
of  Indians  ;  their  towns  and  villages  burned,  and 
their  country  depopulated  (supposed  to  be  through 
the  intrigues  of  land-jobbers),  which  has  since  be- 
come a  prey  to  the  Pennsylvania  claimants,  a 
junto  similar  to  the  New  York  monopolists,  who 
were  then  taking  every  measure  that  the  malig- 
nancy and  avarice  of  human  nature  could  suggest^ 
for  the  destruction  of  the  people  of  Vermont.'V 
That  there  was  some  foundation  for  this  expla- 
nation of  the  Wyoming  massacre,  is  made  only 
too  apparent  by  subsequent  events.  ^ 

In  April,  1781,  Colonel  Ira  Allen  was  commis- 
sioned to  settle  a  cartel  with  the  British  in  Can- 
ada for  the  exchange  of  prisoners,  and  also  to  pro- 
cure an  armistice  between  the  British  forces  and 
Vermont.  This  was  thought  well-nigh  impractic-, 
able,  as  the  British  troops  numbered  10,000  effec- 
tive men,  which  must  remain  inactive,  not  being 
able  to  annoy  other  States  vvitliout  first  amioying 
Vermont,  while  the  latter  had  only  7,000  men  as 


THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    BOYS 


117 


an  offset.  But  an  armistice  must  be  had,  or  the 
frontiers  evacuated  until  assistance  could  come 
from  the  States  whose  influence  had  rendered 
Vermont  defenseless. 

Allen  arrived  at  Isle  Aux  Noix  in  due  time, 
and  was  accorded  apartments  by  Major  Dundas, 
the  officer  in  charge.  At  a  convenient  time  Allen 
observed  that  Congress  was  endeavoring  to  bring 
Vermont  into  subjection  to  New  York,  but  that 
they,  rather  than  yield,  would  see  Congress  sub- 
jected to  the  British  government,  provided  that 
Vermont  could  be  a  distinct  colony  under  the 
Crown  on  safe  and  honorable  terms  ;  and  that  the 
people  were  not  disposed  longer  to  assist  a  gov- 
ernment which  might  subject  them  and  their  pos- 
terity to  New  York,  under  which  they  could  nev- 
er be  safe  in  p  or  son  or  property. 

The  replication  to  these  observations  was,  that 
the  territory  of  Vermont  could  be  a  colony  under 
the  Crown,  with  privileges  equal  to  those  enjoyed 
by  any  other  colony,  and  that  those  who  assisted 
in  effecting  such  an  event,  would  be  duly  lion- 


w^ 


118 


THE   GREEN   MOUNTAIN    BOYS 


ored  and  rewarded.  Much  conversation  passed  on 
the  subject,  of  which  General  Haldimand  was 
duly  informed.  Nothing  decisive  was  accom- 
plished, but  the  negotiation  caused  the  army  to 
remain  inactive,  which  was  a  matter  of  congrat- 
ulation to  Allen. 

The  cartel  was  completed,  and  a  verbal  agree- 
ment entered  into  that  hostilities  should  cease 
between  Great  Britain  and  those  under  the  juris- 
diction of  Vermont,  until  after  the  sitting  of  the 
Legislature  of  that  state.  On  Colonel  Allen's 
return  several  inflaential  people  waited  on  him, 
desiiing  to  be  advised  whether  to  remain  or  re- 
move to  the  inteiior  portions  of  the  country. 
Allen  told  them  to  remain  quiet  on  their  farms, 
and  not  think  it  strange  though  they  had  no  army 
to  protect  the  frontiei- ;  and  that  should  any  event 
make  it  necessary,  for  the  safety  of  their  families, 
to  move,  they  might  depend  on  seasonable  infor- 
mation. This  immunity  of  Vermont  from  the  ag- 
gressions of  the  British,  led  the  people  on  the 
borders  to  be  all  the  more  anxious  to  be  annexed 


First  Church  in  Vermont. 


ml 


3 


\    ^ 


THE  OKEEN  MOUNTAIN  BOYS 


im 


to  her  territory,  as  a  measure  of  safety  to  tlieir 
families  and  to  their  property. 

Grave  suspicions  having  become  rife  that  nego- 
tiations were  being  cariied  on  between  Veimont 
and  the  British  in  Canada,  several  men  of  discern- 
ment among  the  Whigs  were  sent  from  Vermont 
and  the  neighboring  States  to  attend  the  sessions 
of  the  Legislature,  to  watch  if  there  might  be 
measures  pursuing  which  would  be  eventually  in- 
jurious to  the  common  cause  of  the  United  States. 

On  the  other  hand,  the  British  in  Canada  were 
anxious  to  know  whether  Allen  and  his  friends 
would  be  faithful,  and  so  conduct  matters  as  to 
justify  a  cessation  of  hostiiities.  With  these  ob- 
jects in  view,  their  representatives  attended  tho 
sessions  ;  as  the  Assembly  convened  in  the  meet- 
ing house  the  spectators  took  seats  in  the  gal- 
leries. 

In  a  few  days  both  houses  joined  in  a  commit- 
tee to  consider  the  subject  of  Ira  Alien's  mission 
to  Canada.  The  Governor  proceeded  to  state 
the  facts  of  the  settlement  of  the  cartel,  and  that 


>I 


■•""■■■■Mi 


•  i  ■'.': 


1 1'  M  . 


120 


THE   GREEN   MOUNTAIN   EOYS 


i 


I--, 


if  I'urtliGr  paiticiiJars  were  deBiretl,  Colonel  Allen 
was  tlien  present  and  could  best  inform  tlieni. 
On  being  requested  to  speak,  Allen  made  bis  state- 
ment, wbieh  showed  the  British  had  exhibited 
great  generosity  in  the  transaction  ;  and  after 
stating  sundry  things,  concluded  with  the  remark 
that  if  any  meniber,  or  auditor  in  the  gallery, 
wished  to  ask  further  questions,  he  was  ready  to 
answer  them. 

Those  wno  were  in  the  interest  of  the  United 
States  paid  their  compliments  to  Allen  for  his 
oi)en  and  candid  conduct  In  the  evening  he 
had  a  conference  with  the  Canadian  spectators, 
who  seemed  to  be  equally  well  pleased. 

In  July,  Ethan  Allen  was  informed  by  one  of 
his  neighbors  that  some  of  his  friends  from  Can- 
ada wished  to  speak  with  him  in  the  du«k  of  the 
evening  of  that  day.  At  the  time  appointed,  Al- 
len, with  only  his  cane  in  hand,  cheerfully  went 
to  a  British  guard  under  arms,  and  received  a 
packet.  In  the  evening  of  the  following  day  he 
met  them  again  and  returned   an  answer.     This 


THE  OREEN  MOUNTAIN  BOYS 


121 


mode  of  correspondence  was  continued ;  and 
whenever  dispatches  came  in  this  way,  General 
Ethan  Allen  or  Colonel  Ira  Allen  (they  lived  in 
the  same  house)  went  and  received  them  and  re- 
turned an  answer,  not  trusting  the  dispatches  to 
any  other  person.  It  is  worthy  of  remark  that 
Sunderland,  their  place  of  residence,  was  more 
than  sixty  miles  from  the  frontiers,  yet  a  sergeant 
and  guard  frequently  passed  with  their  arms  in 
1781  and  1782,  without  being  discovered  by  any 
one  who  would  inform  Against  them. 

About  this  time  there  appeared  in  the  news- 
papers of  the  day  a  letter  from  Lord  George 
Germain  to  Sir  Henry  Clinton,  dated  Whitehall, 
Feb.  7th,  1781,  which  letter  had  been  captured  by 
the  French  and  carried  to  Paris,  from  whence  it 
had  been  forwarded  to  Congress,  and  by  them  or- 
dered to  be  printed.     It  ran  thus : 

"  The  return  of  the  people  of  Vermont  to  their 
allegiance  is  an  event  of  the  utmost  importance 
to  the  King's  aifdiis;  and  at  this  time,  if  the 
French  and  Washington  really  meditate  an  irrup- 


. 


122 


THE   GREEN   MOUNTAIN    BOYfl 


U^ 


I! 


\y  ''?: 


I  j  ' 


i'K, 


gJi&ip  •* 


tion  into  Canada,  may  be  considered  as  opposing 
an  effectual  barrier  to  the  attempt.  General 
Haldimand,  who  has  the  same  instructions  with 
you  to  draw  over  those  people,  and  give  them 
support,  will,  I  doubt  not,  push  up  a  body  of 
troops  to  act  in  conjunction  with  them,  to  secure 
all  theavenues  through  their  country  into  Canada; 
and  when  the  season  admits,  take  possession  of 
the  upper  parts  of  the  Hudson  and  Connecticut 
Bivers,  and  cut  off  the  communication  between 
Albajiy  and  the  Mohawk  country.  How  far  they 
mav  be  able  to  extend  themselves  southward  or 
eastward  must  depend  on  their  numbers,  and  the 
disposition  of  the  inhabitants." 

This  letter  had  greater  influence  on  Congress 
than  all  other  considerations  that  had  yet  been 
brought  to  bear ;  and  that  body  promptly  direct- 
ed that  a  committee  be  appointed  to  confer  with 
a  like  committee  from  Vermont,  "on  what  terms 
it  may  be  proper  to  admit  Vermont  into  a  federal 
union  of  these  States." 

Accordingly,  Vermont  sent  on  her  committee; 


THE    OREEN    MOTTNTATN    ROYS 


123 


while  tTiey  wern  in  Philadelpliia  they  procured  a 
copy  of  a  letter  from  the  Governor  of  New  Hamp- 
shire to  the  President  of  Conj^ress,  staring  that 
his  Slate  could  not  furnish  its  quota  of  men  or 
money  in  snpport  of  the  war,  as  a  tlnrd  part  of 
the  State  had  revolted  and  joined  Vermont.  This 
draft  Allen  transmitted  to  the  British  Commis- 
sioners at  Skenesboronpfh,  who  laughed  heartily 
with  the  Vermont  committee. 

Those  who  are  disposed  to  regard  this  action 
of  Allen  and  his  associates  as  inimical  to  the 
cause  of  American  Independence,  will  do  well  to 
consider  that  the  effect  was  to  neutralize  the 
strength  of  10.000  Biitish  troops  as  opposed  to 
a  like  number  from  Vermont;  the  final  result  to 
the  cause  would  be  the  same  as  though  both  forces 
took  the  field  and  slaughtered  each  other,  with 
the  advantage  to  Vermont  that  she  was  saved 
from  being  overrun  by  a  devastating  army. 

Meanwhile  the  British  Commissioners  were 
becoming  impatient.  They  stated  as  their  in- 
structions, which  they  were  not  at  liberty  to  de- 


1 

1 

k 

t 

im 


li 


124 


TIIK   GRISEN    MOUNTAIN   BOSra 


viate  from  without  putting  an  end  to  the  arniia- 
tice,  that  his  Excellency,  General  Haldimand, 
in  pursuance  of  full  powers  vested  in  him  by  his 
Majesty,  should  issue  his  proclamation  offering 
to  confi]  m  Vermont  as  a  colonv  under  the  Crown, 
provided  the  people  wou'd  return  to  their  alle- 
giance; that  an  ainiy  should  come  up  the  Lake 
in  October  with  said  proclamation,  and  the  Leg- 
islature must  accept  the  same,  and  with  the  Brit- 
ish take  measures  for  their  common   defense. 

This  was  a  sore  strait  for  perplexed  Vermont 
diplomats.  It  was  deemed  best,  however,  to  have 
the  proclamations  brought  up  the  Lake  rather 
than  incur  the  risk  of  a  discontinuance  of  the 
armistice,  in  the  present  defenseless  state  of  the 
frontiei". 

The  Legislature  met  at  Charlestown  early  in 
October,  and  about  the  same  time  a  powerful 
British  army  under  St.  Leger  was  landed  at  Ti- 
eonderoga.  A  skirmish  having  occurred  between 
a  party  of  Vermonters  ujider  command  of  Ser- 
geant Tapper  and  a  number  of   the   enemy,    the 


I 


THE    GREEN    MOUNTAIN    KOYS 


125 


Sergeant  was  killed  aiul  his  luon  retrcatoa.  St. 
Leger  sent  his  clothos  unci  eiiects,  with  an  open 
letter,  to  General  Enos,  infornjino-  Lim  of  the  fate 
of  the  Sergeant,  and  apologizing  for  his  death. 
This  dispatch  and  the  apparel  were  publicly  de- 
livered  to  General  Euos,  which  wade  no  little 
noise  among  the  troops. 

The  preceding  negotiations  were  not  known  to 
more  than  a  dozen  men  iu  Vermont.  Anexpi  3 
came  in  with  letters  fur  Governor  Chittenden,  an- 
nouncing the  ariival  of  the  British  at  Ticondero- 
ga,  in  which  were  blended  public  matters  and 
private  negotiations.  The  messenger  had  not 
failed  to  proclaim  the  extraordinary  message  of 
St.  Leger,  which  occasioned  large  crowds  to  fol- 
low, to  hear  the  news.  On  opening  the  letters 
the  Governor  saw  it  was  1  ot  prudent  to  have  them 
publicly  read.  At  this  confused  moment  Major 
Bunnals  came  running  in  and  demanded  of  Colo- 
nel Allen  the  reason  why  St.  Leger  was  sorry  the 
Sergeant  was  killed  ?  Allen  replied  he  could  not 
tell.     Kunnuls   repeated  the  question,    to    which 


f 

1 

j 

\  ■■■ 

:     i 

\  '■ 

;  1 1 

j     1 

■ 

t 

i  . 

\      A 

\ 

^     1 

pt 


r-i 


126 


THE   GREEN   MOUNTAIN    BOYS 


Allen  then  made  an  evasive  answer.  This  enraged 
Raiinals,  who  again  loudly  demanded  what  rea- 
sons conld  possibly  induce  a  British  general  to  be 
sorry  when  his  enemies  wore  killed?  Allen  re- 
torted with  some  warmth  by  advising  Runnals  to 
go  at  the  head  of  his  regiment  and  demand  of  St. 
Leger  the  reasons  for  his  sorro  v,  and  not  stay 
there  eating  up  the  country's  provisions  and  do- 
ing nothing  while  the  frontiers  were  invaded. 
This  manojvre  drew  all  attention,  for  the  moment, 
from  the  letters.  Meanwhile  new  ones  were  made 
out  which  were  read  in  jjlace  of  the  originals  for 
the  satisfaction  of  the  people. 

The  crisis  is  approaching,  yet  the  leaders  in 
the  stirring  drama  are  not  dismayed.  A  commu- 
nication from  Allen  to  the  British  announces  that 
matters  are  going  on  propitiously  for  their  de- 
signs, but  in  view  of  unfavoral)le  reports  direct 
from  the  seat  of  war,  suggested  it  would  hardly 
be  expedient  to  publish  the  proclamation  just 
then.  In  less  than  an  hour  after  this  communi- 
cation  reached  Ticonderoga,  an   express  arrived 


¥■■■'  ■ 


»m> 


THE  GREEN  MOUNTAIN  BOYS 


127 


there  with  the  news  of  the  capture  of  Coruwallis 
and  his  entire  army.  Before  night  the  British 
had  embarked  all  their  troops  and  stores,  and  had 
set  sail  with  all  haste  for  Canada.  Thus  were 
the  Vermont  diplomatists  relieved,  at  the  last  mo- 
ment, from  their  embarrassment  and  danger;  and 
thus  were  the  frontiers  of  that  State  preserved 
from  the  horrors  of  war  by  the  sagacity  and  dar- 
ing of  a  few  determined  men. 


8i1 


■nr 

Tf^^^^^ 

w 

w 

M, 

i 

'■  "^'1 

m 

i 

1 

vm 


CHAPTEK  XII. 


CONCLUSION. 

Years  elapsed.  Hostilities  between  Great 
Britaiu  and  the  American  Colonies  had  ("Paihd ; 
and  on  the  20 ih  of  January,  1783,  the  prelimiL^a- 
ry  articles  of  peace  were  signed,  which  established 
the  independence  of  the  United  States.  The 
adoption  of  the  Federal  Constitution  followed, 
which  was  ratified  by  the  thirteen  original  States, 
and  the  first  Congress  assembled  under  it  March 
3d,  1789.  During  the  period  succeeding  the 
peace,  Vermont  had  been  pursuing  the  even  ten- 
or of  her  way,  not  over-solicitous  about  an  orgeu- 
ic  union  with  the  States,  and  without  any  exter- 
nal foes  to  dread.  But  the  ancient  difference 
with  New  York  still  remained  unsettled.  A  new 
political  generation  had  come  upon  the  stage,  in 


THE  onteEN  Mount?  \i^  coifs 


129 


f 


whose  bosoms   the  bitter  feuds  of  then-  fathers 
were  not  perpetuated. 

One  difSoulty,  however,  presented  itself.  New 
York  had  aforetime  granted  lar^e  tracts  of  land 
in  Vermont,  and  the  grantees  were  londly  com- 
plaining of  the  injustice  in  not  being  allowed  to 
take  possession  of  the  property,  or  having"  its 
purchase  price  refunded.  New  York  felt  no  very 
strong-  oblie-ation  to  refund  the  money  that  had 
been  extorted  for  those  g-rants  by  royal  governors 
before  the  war ;  still  she  was  disposed  to  favor  a 
compromise.  Public  opinion  and  mutual  inter- 
ests called  for  a  reconciliation  with  Vermont,  and 
her  admission  into  the  Confederacy  of  States,  in- 
asmuch as  the  measure  would  increase  the  repre- 
sentation of  New  England  in  Congress. 

On  the  23d  of  October,  1789,  committees  from 
the  respective  Legislatures  of  Vermont  and  New 
York  met  to  arrange  the  settlement  of  the  only 
issue  remaining--the  amount  of  compensation  the 
claimants  under  the  New  York  grants  should  re- 
ceive from  Vermont.     It  was  agreed  that  on  pay- 


;1 


130 


THE   GREEN   MOUNTAIN    BOYS 


ment  being  made  to  her  of  $30,000,  New  York 
was  to  consent  to  the  admission  of  Vermont  into 
the  Union,  and  to  give  up  all  claims  to  jurisdic- 
tion within  the  latter  State.  On  the  18th  of  Feb- 
ruary, 1791,  Congress,  without  a  dissenting  voice 
or  vote,  passed  an  Act  "That  on  the  4th  day  of 
March,,  '^^1 ,  the  said  State,  by  the  name  and 
style  of  tLi  State  of  Vermont,'  shall  be  received 
and  admitted  into  their  Union  as  a  new  and  en- 
tire member  of  the  United  States  of  America." 


The  End. 


( 


ELIZABETH  FRY : 

LIFE  AND    LAliOKt)    OF    THE    EMINENT 

PHILANTHBOPIJST,  PlIE ACHE  U, 

AiND  PlilfcioiN  KEEUlixVlElt. 

BY    EDWAKD   IIYDER. 


"Mr.  Harvey,  two  days  ago  I  saw  the  greatest  curiosity 
in  London,  aye  and  in  England  too,  sir,  compared  to  wlncli 
Westmmscer  xibbey,  ike  lower,  tlie  iiiitisn  Museum,  nay 
Parliament  itseli,  smk  iiito  utter  insignilicaiice !  i  havo 
seen,  sir,  Elizabeili  lay  in  Isewgate,  and  iiave  witnessed  mi- 
raculous ettecis  of  irue  i^nrisiianiiy  upon  tlie  most  depraved 
oi  iiuman  beings.  "~J  oiin  Itandoipii. 

We  shall  not  look  upon  her  like  again !  and  must  try  to 
presei\e  ihe  iiiipression  ot  her  majesty  ut  goodness  which  it 
is  a  great  privilege  to  liave  beneld.  — liaroness  l»unsen. 

I  could  wish  that  your  book  might  be  found  in  every 
Christian  tamily.—iifcv.  W.  b.  (Jlapp. 

389  pp.,  8vo.,  with  full  page  portrait  of  Ehzabcth  Fry. 
Price  i^i,  mailed  to  any  address. 

Philip  H.  Smith,  Publisher, 

Pawling,  N.  Y. 


